Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is refers to chronic inflammation within all or part of the digestive tract. This condition primarily includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, and can be painful and debilitating, especially for active children. Depending on the severity of the condition and where it occurs in the digestive system, symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease can vary greatly, but may include cramping, constipation, fever, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss, fatigue, and inflammation and skin disorders. Anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system suppressors, antibiotics, and other medications are usually the first step in attempting to treat cases of IBD. If these fail to relieve symptoms, then surgery may be considered to prevent further damage to the digestive tract.