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Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Symptoms and Diagnosis
Does My Child have IBD?
Symptoms of IBD can appear at any age. The two most common forms of IBD are Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Colitis symptoms and Crohn’s symptoms can be very similar. If your child has IBD symptoms, contact your pediatrician for an examination.
Pediatric IBD symptoms checklist:
- Diarrhea, sometimes with blood and mucus
- Stomach aches
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Unexplained fever and tiredness
- Delayed growth or maturation (Crohn’s disease only)
Diagnosing Pediatric IBD:
If your physician suspects your child has pediatric IBD, he or she will likely run several diagnostic tests, including:
- Blood tests
- Stool tests
- X-rays and CT scans
- Endoscopy or biopsies: colon (for ulcerative colitis) or the upper and lower intestines (for Crohn’s disease)
Also, since genetics can play a role in IBD, your physician may inquire about your family’s medical history.
If your child is experience IBD symptoms discuss them with your family doctor or find a pediatric gastroenterologist near you.