Ulcerative Colitis in Children

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects both children and adults. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis may vary among children. There is currently no cure for this condition. Children affected by ulcerative colitis will need life-long treatment to manage this condition. Surgery may be necessary to treat more severe cases of ulcerative colitis.

Characteristics

• Ulcerative colitis causes the linings of both the rectum and colon to become inflamed. Although this condition typically affects just the lower portion of the colon, some children with ulcerative colitis may experience inflammation throughout the entire length of the colon. Only in rare cases does ulcerative colitis affect the small intestine. According to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, most people develop ulcerative colitis between 15 and 30 years of age. Both males and females are affected by ulcerative colitis at equivalent rates.

Symptoms

• A variety of symptoms are commonly associated with ulcerative colitis. Children will frequently complain of pain in their abdominal region. Children with ulcerative colitis may lose their appetite, which can lead to weight loss. Bleeding around the rectal area and bloody diarrhea are also common symptoms of this condition. Children may also experience fatigue, anemia, joint pain, and rashes as a result of ulcerative colitis.

Diagnosis

• Doctors rely on several different types of tests to diagnose ulcerative colitis. Blood work is used to check for signs of anemia. Stool cultures are examined for different types of parasites and bacteria that could be triggering the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Doctors may perform a colonoscopy in order to examine the insides of the rectum and colon. Tissue within the colon may be removed during the colonoscopy to be biopsied. X-rays can also be used to examine the colon and rectum. Children may be given a barium enema before the X-rays are taken in order to reveal any ulcers or problem areas that may be present.

Treatment

• Medications can be prescribed to alleviate certain symptoms of ulcerative colitis, including diarrhea and pain. Hospitalization may be necessary if a child's nutrition is affected by ulcerative condition. Children may require an IV in order to get proper nourishment and hydration. According to the Children's Hospital Boston, Up to 40 percent of children may need surgery to remove their colon. This is generally only necessary in the most severe cases of ulcerative colitis where cancer and bleeding have become a concern.

Concerns

• As there is no cure, children with ulcerative colitis must deal with this condition for the duration of their lives. Most children will have periods of remissions where there will be no symptoms of ulcerative colitis. In some cases, remission can last for a number of years. According to the Children's Hospital of Boston, ulcerative colitis is rarely a fatal condition. A greater risk of cancer exists in children who experience long periods of ulcerative colitis activity in their colons.