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Psychiatric presentation of Crohn's disease. Diagnostic delay and increased morbidity
H Rickards1, M Prendergast, I W Booth
1Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Insights
Children presenting with psychiatric symptoms alongside abdominal issues may have undiagnosed Crohn's disease. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent increased illness severity in pediatric Crohn's disease patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Child Psychiatry
Background:
- Crohn's disease can manifest with diverse symptoms in children.
- Psychiatric symptoms are sometimes overlooked as indicators of underlying physical conditions.
Observation:
- Four children initially presented to child psychiatric clinics with varied symptoms.
- These children were later diagnosed with Crohn's disease.
- A significant diagnostic delay was noted compared to children with primarily gastrointestinal symptoms.
Findings:
- Combined abdominal and psychiatric symptoms in children can indicate Crohn's disease.
- Diagnostic delays in these cases are associated with increased morbidity.
- Children with combined symptoms require thorough physical, inflammatory, and nutritional assessments.
Implications:
- Healthcare providers should consider Crohn's disease in children with combined abdominal and psychiatric symptoms.
- Serial monitoring of physical and nutritional status is essential for early detection and management.
- Prompt diagnosis can mitigate the increased morbidity associated with delayed recognition of pediatric Crohn's disease.
Abstract:
Four children presented to child psychiatric clinics with a variety of symptoms. They were all later recognised as having Crohn's disease. There was a significant delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, compared with a control group of patients with Crohn's disease whose presentation was with predominantly gastrointestinal symptoms, which was associated with evidence of increased morbidity. Children with abdominal and psychiatric symptoms occurring in combination need serial assessments of physical status, including height and weight, and measurements of inflammatory and nutritional status.
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