Ulcerative colitis in children

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was consulted professionally with BS. Nguyen Hung Tien - Doctor of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Ulcerative colitis is a fairly rare disease in children, but it poses a great deal of severity to a child's overall health. Once infected, symptoms can last a lifetime, even requiring a colectomy in severe cases.

1. What is ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease in which the body's large intestine can become inflamed. Although ulcerative colitis is uncommon in young children, it is a chronic condition that can last a lifetime and cause growth and development problems in children. young when diagnosed before puberty.
In general, ulcerative colitis is less common in children than Crohn's disease, another major form of inflammatory bowel disease. According to research, an estimated 23,000 children and adolescents in the United States have ulcerative colitis. However, experts say this number is still too low compared to reality. Although ulcerative colitis is diagnosed more often in adolescents and young adults, the number of cases in young children is increasing dramatically.

2. Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis in Children

Compared with adults, children with ulcerative colitis tend to develop more severe symptoms, and the disease is more likely to involve the entire colon, rather than just part of the colon. .
Symptoms of the disease may come and go in cycles (flares), or occur continuously over a certain period of time. The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis in children often include:
Diarrhea Abdominal pain Blood in the stool Fever Weight loss Exhaustion Decreased appetite Stomach upset even when the bowel is empty.

3. What causes ulcerative colitis in children?

Currently, the exact cause of ulcerative colitis in children is unknown, but experts believe that genetic and environmental factors are involved in triggering immune system responses. fluid causes enteritis and leads to inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, a family history of inflammatory bowel disease is also a factor that increases the risk of developing ulcerative colitis in children.
Researchers are actively exploring the relationship between the bacteria and viruses that naturally live in the gut to better understand both their role in ulcerative colitis and how they might be involved into treatment.

4. Diagnosis of ulcerative colitis in children

The doctor will first ask the child to do some initial tests, such as stool and blood tests. If these tests show signs of inflammatory bowel disease, your baby may need other more comprehensive tests to make an accurate diagnosis.
In addition, the gastroenterologist may order a gastroscopy, colonoscopy, or both. For these procedures, the doctor will use a thin, flexible tube with a small camera attached to it, which is inserted into the child's mouth (to help examine the upper digestive tract) or through the anus into the child's colon (to check the baby's colon). lower gastrointestinal tract examination). In addition, the doctor may also take a small tissue sample from the child's intestines to look at under a microscope and check for signs of inflammation. In general, these tests are usually painless, but can be stressful, so the child is usually sedated before the test.
To confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, your child may also have an imaging exam, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI.

5. Does nutrition affect children's ulcerative colitis?

Currently, there are no proven dietary changes that can help reduce IBD, but children with ulcerative colitis need careful attention to their diet to keep it under control. symptoms and maintaining healthy nutrition.
You should see a dietitian to determine if certain foods can make your child's ulcerative colitis symptoms worse, and find ways to help meet nutritional needs. essential nutrients for the healthy growth and development of children. In certain cases, children may also need to take supplements to make up for the shortfalls caused by the illness.

6. Treatment of ulcerative colitis in children

Ulcerative colitis is usually controlled with a combination of medications to reduce uncomfortable symptoms and prevent recurrence. Certain steroids or drugs that suppress the immune system can reduce inflammation during flare-ups. Once the inflammation is gone, other symptoms (such as diarrhea) and the lining of the intestines have healed, the child may be continued on another medication to prevent recurrence.
You should also take your child for regular checkups to closely monitor his symptoms and overall health, and he'll also need to see a pediatric gastroenterologist who specializes in inflammatory bowel diseases, especially especially if your child has severe ulcerative colitis or frequent flare-ups.
Colectomy surgery is considered the only cure for ulcerative colitis, but this only applies in severe, persistent cases because it can cause other complications, including bowel incontinence or infection.
In addition, you should also get your child vaccinated because the use of some drugs can weaken the immune system, making the child more susceptible to illness. However, once a child is started on treatment with medicines that suppress the immune system, they will not be able to get vaccines like MMR, chickenpox, and rotavirus vaccine that contain live viruses. weaken. Before giving your child vaccinations, consult your doctor carefully to prevent the risk of vaccination.
Appropriate treatment can significantly help a child's ulcerative colitis go into remission, but the lifetime risk of flare-ups remains high. However, unfortunate children with ulcerative colitis can still participate in regular physical and educational activities to improve their quality of life.

7. Other health problems associated with ulcerative colitis in children

Ulcerative colitis is associated with problems with the digestive tract as well as other body systems. Possible complications include:
Liver disease Anemia due to blood loss (intestinal ulcers) Kidney stones, gallstones Arthritis and joint pain Bone weakness Mouth sores Eye inflammation Skin problems Blood clots Presence of blood clots Poor growth due to lack of nutrients Colon and other cancers Mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression Megacolon toxicity – a rare condition in which the colon is paralyzed and does not can function as normal. This can be corrected with medication, but sometimes surgery is needed to remove part of the affected colon. Children in the period from 6 months to 3 years old are very susceptible to respiratory problems, respiratory infections, skin diseases and gastrointestinal infections,... Parents need to pay special attention. attention to the care and provision of adequate nutrition for children. The pediatric department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children. With a system of facilities, modern medical equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread, Vinmec will bring satisfaction to customers. and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of leading pediatricians: Including leading experts with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctors, Master's degree), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are all well-trained, professional, conscientious, knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. Advanced techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull, stem cell transplant blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to play comfortably and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

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Reference source: babycenter.com