What Is Ulcerative Colitis In Children?
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this condition, the inner lining of your child’s large intestine (colon or bowel) and rectum gets inflamed. This inflammation often starts in the rectum and lower (sigmoid) intestine. Then it may spread to the whole colon.
This causes diarrhea or frequent emptying of the colon. As cells on the surface of the lining of the colon die and fall off, open sores (ulcers) form. This causes pus, mucus, and bleeding.
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this condition, the inner lining of your child’s large intestine (colon or bowel) and rectum gets inflamed. This inflammation often starts in the rectum and lower (sigmoid) intestine. Then it may spread to the whole colon.
This causes diarrhea or frequent emptying of the colon. As cells on the surface of the lining of the colon die and fall off, open sores (ulcers) form. This causes pus, mucus, and bleeding.
What Causes Ulcerative Colitis In A Child?
Healthcare providers don't know what causes this condition. It may be triggered by a virus or bacteria. This interacts with your child’s immune system and causes an inflammatory reaction in the intestinal wall.
Children with ulcerative colitis often have problems with their immune system. It's not clear if these issues are a cause or a result of the disease.
There’s no known cure for this condition. But there are medical treatments and surgery if needed.
Healthcare providers don't know what causes this condition. It may be triggered by a virus or bacteria. This interacts with your child’s immune system and causes an inflammatory reaction in the intestinal wall.
Children with ulcerative colitis often have problems with their immune system. It's not clear if these issues are a cause or a result of the disease.
There’s no known cure for this condition. But there are medical treatments and surgery if needed.
Which Children Are At Risk For Ulcerative Colitis?
People between the ages of 15 and 30 are at greatest risk of developing this condition. This issue can also start in children and older adults. It also seems to run in some families.
People between the ages of 15 and 30 are at greatest risk of developing this condition. This issue can also start in children and older adults. It also seems to run in some families.
What Are The Symptoms Of Ulcerative Colitis In A Child?
Symptoms can happen a bit differently in each child. They can include:
Some children also have the following symptoms:
Many of these symptoms may be caused by other health problems. Make sure your child sees their healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Symptoms can happen a bit differently in each child. They can include:
Some children also have the following symptoms:
Many of these symptoms may be caused by other health problems. Make sure your child sees their healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
How Is Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosed In A Child?
Your child's healthcare provider will ask about your child's health history. They will also give your child an exam.
Your child will have blood tests. These tests can tell if your child has anemia. They can also tell if your child has a high white blood cell count. This can be a sign of inflammation or infection. Your child’ may also have other tests.
Your child's healthcare provider will ask about your child's health history. They will also give your child an exam.
Your child will have blood tests. These tests can tell if your child has anemia. They can also tell if your child has a high white blood cell count. This can be a sign of inflammation or infection. Your child’ may also have other tests.
Stool sample
This test checks for infection or inflammation in your child’s digestive tract. A small sample of stool is collected from your child and sent to a lab.
This test checks for infection or inflammation in your child’s digestive tract. A small sample of stool is collected from your child and sent to a lab.
Upper endoscopy
In this test, a small, flexible tube (endoscope) is used to look at the inside of your child’s upper digestive tract. This tube has a light and a camera lens at the end of it. During the test, the healthcare provider may take tissue samples from your child's digestive tract. The provider will test these samples.
In this test, a small, flexible tube (endoscope) is used to look at the inside of your child’s upper digestive tract. This tube has a light and a camera lens at the end of it. During the test, the healthcare provider may take tissue samples from your child's digestive tract. The provider will test these samples.
Colonoscopy
This test lets the provider look at the length of your child’s colon (the large intestine). This can spot abnormal growths, inflamed tissue, ulcers, and bleeding. In this test, the provider puts a special tool (colonoscope) in through the rectum up into the colon. This tool is a long, flexible, and lighted tube. During the test, the provider may take out tissue to look at it more closely. They may also treat some problems.
This test lets the provider look at the length of your child’s colon (the large intestine). This can spot abnormal growths, inflamed tissue, ulcers, and bleeding. In this test, the provider puts a special tool (colonoscope) in through the rectum up into the colon. This tool is a long, flexible, and lighted tube. During the test, the provider may take out tissue to look at it more closely. They may also treat some problems.
Biopsy
The provider may take tissue samples to be checked under a microscope. These samples may be taken from the lining of the colon during a colonoscopy. Or they may be taken from the end of the small intestine during an upper endoscopy.
The provider may take tissue samples to be checked under a microscope. These samples may be taken from the lining of the colon during a colonoscopy. Or they may be taken from the end of the small intestine during an upper endoscopy.
Barium enema (lower GI series)
This test looks at the large intestine. Your child will get barium in their rectum as an enema. This is a metallic liquid that coats the inside of their organs. This helps them show up on an X-ray better. Your child’s healthcare provider will take X-rays of their belly. This can show narrowed areas (strictures), blockages (obstructions), and other issues.
This test looks at the large intestine. Your child will get barium in their rectum as an enema. This is a metallic liquid that coats the inside of their organs. This helps them show up on an X-ray better. Your child’s healthcare provider will take X-rays of their belly. This can show narrowed areas (strictures), blockages (obstructions), and other issues.
How Is Ulcerative Colitis Treated In A Child?
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on the specific cause and how severe the condition is.
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on the specific cause and how severe the condition is.
Diet
No specific diet causes or cures this condition. If certain foods upset your child’s stomach, staying away from those foods may help ease your child’s symptoms. A healthy diet is always advised.
No specific diet causes or cures this condition. If certain foods upset your child’s stomach, staying away from those foods may help ease your child’s symptoms. A healthy diet is always advised.
Medicine
Your child’s healthcare provider may prescribe medicines that reduce colon inflammation. These can include aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators. Some medicines are given into the rectum as a suppository or enema. If your child’s condition is severe, they may also need steroids, antibiotics, or medicines that affect the body's immune system. These are called biologics and small molecules.
Your child’s healthcare provider may prescribe medicines that reduce colon inflammation. These can include aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators. Some medicines are given into the rectum as a suppository or enema. If your child’s condition is severe, they may also need steroids, antibiotics, or medicines that affect the body's immune system. These are called biologics and small molecules.
Hospital stay
If your child’s symptoms are severe, they may need to stay in the hospital for monitoring and treatment. This can help make sure your child is getting the nutrition and fluids they need. Treatment will be given to help stop diarrhea and the loss of blood, fluids, and minerals. Your child may need a special diet, feeding, and fluids or medicines through a vein. Some children may also need surgery.
If your child’s symptoms are severe, they may need to stay in the hospital for monitoring and treatment. This can help make sure your child is getting the nutrition and fluids they need. Treatment will be given to help stop diarrhea and the loss of blood, fluids, and minerals. Your child may need a special diet, feeding, and fluids or medicines through a vein. Some children may also need surgery.
Surgery
About 10% to 20% of children with this condition eventually need surgery. This is done because of heavy bleeding, tear (perforation) of the colon, cancer risk, or severe illness. In surgery, your child’s colon is removed. This may also be done if other treatments don’t work. Or if your child has side effects.
Your child may have 1 of the following surgeries:
About 10% to 20% of children with this condition eventually need surgery. This is done because of heavy bleeding, tear (perforation) of the colon, cancer risk, or severe illness. In surgery, your child’s colon is removed. This may also be done if other treatments don’t work. Or if your child has side effects.
Your child may have 1 of the following surgeries:
What Are Possible Complications Of Ulcerative Colitis In A Child?
In rare cases, this condition can cause death. If your child’s condition affects more than just their rectum and lower colon, your child has a higher risk for colon cancer. They're also at risk for a tear (perforation) of the bowel wall. This needs surgery. Your child may also have severe bleeding at times.
In rare cases, this condition can cause death. If your child’s condition affects more than just their rectum and lower colon, your child has a higher risk for colon cancer. They're also at risk for a tear (perforation) of the bowel wall. This needs surgery. Your child may also have severe bleeding at times.
How Can I Help My Child Live With Ulcerative Colitis?
Children with this condition need long-term care. Your child may have times when symptoms go away (remission). This can sometimes last for months or years. But symptoms often come back. Medicines are often needed for the long term.
Your child should learn what foods trigger their symptoms and stay away from these foods. You and your child’s healthcare provider should make sure your child gets enough nutrients to grow and develop well. Support groups can help you and your child. Work with the provider to create a care plan for your child.
Children with this condition need long-term care. Your child may have times when symptoms go away (remission). This can sometimes last for months or years. But symptoms often come back. Medicines are often needed for the long term.
Your child should learn what foods trigger their symptoms and stay away from these foods. You and your child’s healthcare provider should make sure your child gets enough nutrients to grow and develop well. Support groups can help you and your child. Work with the provider to create a care plan for your child.
0 comments:
Post a Comment