Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care
Approximately one million people in the U.S. have inflammatory bowel disease, and nearly one quarter of those affected were diagnosed before age 20. If your child struggles with symptoms of unmanaged intestinal inflammation, our board-certified pediatric gastroenterologists can help. Call (708) 581-4911 or make an appointment online today at any of our five area locations.
Request an AppointmentWhat Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Your child’s immune system is a network of cells and tissues that defends the body from infection. In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, causing chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. IBD affects your child’s quality of life and includes two main conditions:
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease affects your child’s entire gastrointestinal tract and can damage the full thickness of the bowel wall.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis causes sores on the inner lining of your child’s colon.
What Are the Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Abdominal pain and diarrhea are the most common symptoms of IBD. Other symptoms may include:
- Bloody stool
- Fever
- Low energy
- Weight loss
Additional issues associated with IBD include rashes, joint pain, and delayed puberty.
How Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnosed?
To diagnose IBD, our pediatric gastroenterologists use a combination of blood and stool testing along with diagnostic imaging. Blood is tested for signs of inflammation, and a stool sample is examined for the presence of blood. Using an instrument called an endoscope, a long, thin tube attached to a monitor, the physician performs a colonoscopy. This allows the doctor to see inflammation, bleeding, or ulcers on the wall of your child’s colon. A biopsy is often performed during the procedure, sending small tissue samples for further testing.
How Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treated?
Treatment for IBD is different for every child. Since there is no cure, the goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms, prevent flares, and promote healing and remission. Our providers may prescribe:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Immunosuppressive agents
- Biologic agents
- Nutrition therapy
Because some IBD medications can make it harder to fight infections, it’s important to have your child tested for tuberculosis and receive all required vaccinations before starting treatment.
Whether your child has already been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease or is experiencing symptoms, our expert team can help. Explore all of our pediatric GI services to learn more, then call (708) 581-4911 or make an appointment online today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is inflammatory bowel disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic conditions in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the digestive tract, causing inflammation. The two main types are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
How is IBD different from IBS?
Inflammatory bowel disease involves actual inflammation and damage to the digestive tract, while irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder that affects how the bowel works without causing inflammation or damage. They require different diagnostic and treatment approaches.
What are the warning signs of IBD in children?
Common signs include abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stool, fever, low energy, and weight loss. Some children also experience rashes, joint pain, or delayed puberty. If your child has these symptoms, an evaluation is recommended.
How is inflammatory bowel disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves a combination of blood tests, stool tests, colonoscopy, and biopsy. These tests help identify inflammation, rule out other conditions, and confirm whether your child has Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Can inflammatory bowel disease be cured?
There is currently no cure for IBD. However, with the right treatment plan, symptoms can be managed, flares can be prevented, and children can achieve periods of remission and lead active lives.
Why does my child need vaccinations before starting treatment?
Some IBD medications suppress the immune system, which can make it harder to fight infections. For this reason, we test for tuberculosis and ensure your child is up to date on required vaccinations before beginning certain treatments.
Which locations treat inflammatory bowel disease?
IBD is managed at all five of our locations: Evergreen Park, Naperville, Elmhurst, and Romeoville in Illinois, or Highland, Indiana. Call (708) 581-4911 to schedule.