Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026
DNBS/TNBS Colitis Models: Providing Insights Into Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Effects of Dietary Fat
Published on: February 27, 2014
Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Jordanian Children: A Tertiary Center Experience
Hala Almomani1, Ayah Alsmadi2, Nicole Issi1
1Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Insights
Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Jordan shows Crohn's disease is more common than ulcerative colitis. Limited biologic access necessitates improved therapies and a national IBD registry for better pediatric IBD care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
- Clinical Epidemiology
Background:
- Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presents unique challenges in diagnosis and management.
- Understanding regional variations in IBD is crucial for global health insights.
- Jordanian pediatric IBD data is limited, necessitating local research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the clinical characteristics, subtypes, laboratory findings, and outcomes of pediatric IBD in Jordan.
- To compare Jordanian pediatric IBD trends with global and regional data.
- To identify specific needs and challenges in managing pediatric IBD in the region.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for pediatric IBD patients (age < 18) at Jordan University Hospital (2015-2022).
- Diagnosis confirmation using the revised Porto criteria.
- Analysis of patient demographics, clinical presentation, disease behavior, laboratory markers, and treatment modalities.
Main Results:
- 31 pediatric IBD patients (61.3% male) diagnosed at a mean age of 8.7 years.
- Crohn's disease (51.6%) predominated over ulcerative colitis (29.0%); 38.7% had very early onset IBD (VEO-IBD).
- Common symptoms included diarrhea and abdominal pain; anemia was prevalent (58.1%), with elevated CRP/ESR in over 60%.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric Crohn's disease is more prevalent than ulcerative colitis in this Jordanian cohort.
- Limited access to biologic therapies and frequent treatment escalations were observed.
- There is a critical need for enhanced therapeutic strategies and the establishment of a national IBD registry.
Purpose:
This study describes the clinical features, disease subtypes, laboratory findings, and outcomes of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Jordan, with the aim of comparing regional and global trends.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of patients diagnosed with IBD before the age of 18 years, who were followed up at the pediatric gastroenterology clinic at Jordan University Hospital between January 2015 and December 2022. The diagnoses were based on the revised Porto criteria.
Results:
A total of 31 patients (61.3% male) were included in this study. The mean age at diagnosis was 8.7±4.75 years. Very early onset IBD (VEO-IBD) accounted for 38.7% of all cases. Crohn disease (51.6%) was more common than ulcerative colitis (UC) (29.0%) or unclassified IBD (19.4%). Diarrhea and abdominal pain were the most common symptoms. Steroids were used for remission induction in 90.3% of the cases, and %-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) was the most common maintenance therapy (48.4%). In CD patients, ileocolonic involvement (L3) was the most common (5, 29.4%), with non-stricturing, non-penetrating behavior (B1) in (10, 58.8%). Among UC patients, pancolitis was the predominant phenotype (3, 37.5%). C-reactive protein (CRP) level and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were elevated in (19, 61.3%) patients, while ESR was elevated in (16, 51.6%) patients, respectively. Anemia was observed in more than half of the patients (18, 58.1%). Steroid remission was steroids in (28, 90.3%) patients. 5-ASA was the most common maintenance therapy used in our cohort (15, 48.4%). Biological therapy was used to (8, 25.8%) patients.
Conclusion:
Crohn's was more prevalent than UC in the pediatric cohort. Limited access to biologics and frequent treatment escalations highlight the need for improved therapeutic options and the development of a national IBD registry.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:29Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...