Crohn’s disease in children: Symptoms, treatment, and more – Medical News Today

Crohns disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes chronic inflammation in the digestive tract. In kids, it tends to cause diarrhea, stomach cramping, and a low appetite.

Crohns disease is rare in children, but it can be severe and affect many aspects of health. It is important for a child with any symptoms to receive medical attention.

Below, we look into how common this is in children and what its symptoms are. We also describe the possible genetic causes and how to treat and manage the disease.

Crohns is less common in children than adults. Like ulcerative colitis, it is a type of IBD.

Research from 2015 reports that 10 in 100,000 children in the United States and Canada have Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis. It also notes that this number is rising.

This suggests that eventually, most pediatric practices will treat at least one child with Crohns disease.

Learn more about Crohns disease here.

Crohns disease causes chronic inflammation in the digestive tract and sometimes other areas, such as the skin or genitals.

The most common symptoms in children include:

Other health issues that can occur with Crohns disease include:

Crohns may affect a childs appetite and make it more difficult to absorb nutrients. As a result, the childs growth may slow or stop.

About 30% of teens and children with Crohns develop symptoms involving their anus, including pain, tears, or blockages.

Perianal disease can make it difficult to have a bowel movement. Also, tears and other injuries around the anus can lead to infections.

About 40% of children with Crohns develop oral symptoms, which means that the disease affects their mouth, including their gums.

A person may notice sores in the childs mouth or swelling of their gums. The child may complain of mouth or tongue pain or have frequent dental problems.

Crohns-related inflammation can affect the eyes, causing swelling, itching, and burning in and around the eyes.

Some children develop a rash called erythema nodosum. This causes flushed skin and blisters or welts to form. These may develop in a cluster in a single spot, often the shins, or they may appear throughout the body.

Some children with Crohns develop joint inflammation that can cause chronic pain or difficulty moving.

Learn more about joint pain and Crohns disease here.

A child with Crohns disease has bleeding in their gut, which can cause anemia. Some symptoms of anemia include:

Learn about early signs of Crohns disease here.

Experts have not identified a single cause of Crohns disease. It may involve a mix of genetic and environmental factors.

Researchers have identified more than 100 genes that may increase the risk of developing the disease.

Children with Crohns are more likely to have mutations in the genes NOD2 and CARD15. Preliminary research suggests that these genes may cause the disease to appear at a younger age.

Interactions between environmental factors, infections, and genetic factors may lead to Crohns. For instance, exposure to certain infections or environments may activate or change genes in ways that increase the risk of Crohns.

Some possible causes and risk factors include:

No single test leads to a Crohns diagnosis doctors use a variety of tests to check for Crohns-related inflammation and to rule out other issues.

A doctor may:

Because Crohns and ulcerative colitis cause similar symptoms, differentiating one from the other can be challenging.

Learn about the difference between Crohns, IBD, and IBS here.

Treatment focuses on reducing the risk of complications, such as nutritional imbalances, and addressing the inflammation that causes Crohns symptoms.

A doctor can prescribe medication to curb this inflammation, slow damage to the digestive system, and reduce symptoms, including secondary symptoms such as skin issues.

One drug that doctors may recommend for children with mild to moderate Crohns symptoms is 5-aminosalicylic acid, known as 5-ASA. Kids with more severe symptoms may require corticosteroids.

Other Crohns medications suitable for children and teenagers include:

More treatment options include:

Read more about treatment options for Crohns disease here.

There is, so far, no cure for Crohns disease. The following strategies may help with managing the symptoms:

Crohns disease can be frightening, especially for young children who may struggle with bowel control and potty training.

It is a lifelong condition, but medication and lifestyle changes can treat it, causing it to go into remission.

Any child who has possible Crohns symptoms should receive medical attention.

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Crohn's disease in children: Symptoms, treatment, and more - Medical News Today