What Is Crohn’s Disease?
Crohn’s disease is swelling and redness, or inflammation, in the wall of the intestine. Both the lining and the deeper layers of the wall swell. Crohn’s disease is an ongoing (chronic) condition. It is one of the illnesses that makes up inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Doctors aren't sure what causes Crohn’s disease. They think the immune system, which usually defends against infection, reacts to something in the intestine, perhaps even to normal bacteria that live there. It sends white blood cells to fight what it sees as a threat. The white blood cells cause inflammation. For some reason, the immune system doesn’t switch off and end its defense effort. Instead, the area stays inflamed. This causes the common symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Over time, the ongoing inflammation can cause sores (ulcers) and damage the intestine.
Crohn’s disease can affect any segment of the digestive tract. There may be healthy patches of intestine between inflamed patches. Usually Crohn’s disease affects the far end of the small intestine (ileum) and the large intestine (colon). Sometimes doctors call this condition by another name based on the parts that are inflamed. For example, they may call it ileocolitis (pronounced ill-ee-oh-coal-ITE-is) if the ileum and colon are inflamed.
Crohn’s Disease in Children
Most people who get diagnosed with Crohn’s disease are between the ages of 15 and 35. But it can develop in younger or older people. About 10% of people with Crohn’s disease are under age 18.
Crohn’s disease tends to run in families. About 20% of people with this condition have a close relative with some form of IBD. But the link is not completely clear.
Crohn’s Disease at Seattle Children’s
At Seattle Children's, we have the most experience treating children with Crohn’s disease in the Pacific Northwest. Our gastroenterologists monitor more than 600 children with Crohn’s disease. An important part of our service is to work with children and families to get good results without surgery whenever possible.
When other treatments are not enough, some children do need surgery. Our surgeons are experienced at performing the operations these children need to improve their health and quality of life. We perform 10 to 20 operations each year to treat Crohn’s disease.
When you come to Children’s, a team of health care professionals cares for your child before, during and after surgery. Along with your child’s surgeon, nurses, dietitians, child life specialists, social workers and others work with you to meet all of your child’s health needs and help your family through this experience.
Since 1907, Children’s has been treating children only. Our team members are trained in their fields and also in meeting the unique needs of children. For example, the doctors who give your child anesthesia are board certified in pediatric anesthesiology. This means they have extra years of training in how to take care of kids. Our child life specialists know how to help children understand their illnesses and treatments in ways that make sense for their age. Our expertise in pediatrics truly makes a difference for our patients and families.