Overview of inflammatory bowel disease in children

The most common types of inflammatory bowel disease in children 6 years and older are ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease.

Very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO–IBD) describes symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease (eg bloody diarrhoea, failure to thrive, perianal disease) in children younger than 6 years of age. Unlike inflammatory bowel disease in older children, VEO–IBD may be the presenting symptom of an underlying monogenic (related to a single gene) disorderOuahed, 2020.

Children with inflammatory bowel disease should be managed by a multidisciplinary team (including a paediatric gastroenterologist, inflammatory bowel disease specialist nurse, paediatric accredited practising dietitian, social worker and clinical psychologist) or by a paediatric gastroenterologist.

Note: Children with inflammatory bowel disease need specialist management.

The aims of treating inflammatory bowel disease in children include:

  • inducing remission and mucosal healing
  • maintaining nutrition, growth and pubertal progression
  • avoiding significant psychosocial impact (eg school absenteeism).