About Crohn's disease in Children

Crohn's disease is a chronic illness of the digestive tract. It primarily begins in adults during their 20s and 30s, but approximately 30 percent of those who have the condition contracted it prior to age 20. Crohn's disease in children has a different effect than it does on adults. Learning more about the disease can help you notice its symptoms in yourself or your children.

Overview

• Crohn's disease affects the digestive system, primarily the intestines. The condition is typically chronic, meaning someone who contracts the disorder has it for life. Crohn's disease can be responsible for inflammation in the bowels, which can contribute to ulcers or abnormal bleeding of the stomach or intestines. Different cases of the disease are referred to by the area of the digestive tract that they irritate. Symptoms of Crohn's disease can come and go throughout a person's life, and there is no way to determine if or when the signs will reappear.

Causes

• The exact cause of Crohn's disease remains unknown, but research has led to many educated guesses on how the disorder is contracted. It is strongly believed that the condition is caused as a result of an immune system's abnormal response to an infection. Studies are ongoing as to whether or not the risk of getting Crohn's disease is increased by hereditary factors.

Symptoms

• There are many different symptoms of Crohn's disease in children, some of which are specific to the area of the digestive system that is affected and how severe the condition is in the person's body. Some common signs include watery diarrhea, bloody stools, abdominal pain and/or cramping and rectal pain. These symptoms can go into remission at any time, and can return without warning.

Complications

• Several complications can arise in those who suffer from Crohn's disease. Children can become undernourished, due to decreased appetite and the body's inability to properly absorb nutrients from foods. Anemia can also occur because of the bleeding and as a result of iron not being sufficiently absorbed into the body.

  Children may have extra considerations when they suffer from Crohn's disease. The condition can postpone puberty, delay or stunt growth, and make the bones in the body weak. This may cause kids to not be as active or not have the ability participate in sports. The mental issues of not understanding the disease and why they suffer from it can also take a larger toll on children.

Diagnosis

• The diagnosis of Crohn's disease will usually begin with a physical exam. Notes of the child's symptoms, as well as their growth and development will be taken into account. Barium contract studies may also be performed to measure the severity of the condition on the digestive tract. This involves taking x-rays of the child's intestines before and after he ingests the chalky white liquid known as barium.

Treatment

• As there is no known cause for Crohn's disease in children, there is currently no cure. However, treatments are available to help control the symptoms. The exact methods will depend on the location of the inflammation, symptoms the child is experiencing, severity of the condition on the child, and how well the body responds to certain techniques. The treatments aim to relieve the child of the symptoms and put the disease into remission for as long as possible.