What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to illnesses in which the bowel, or intestine, becomes swollen and red (inflamed). Most often, doctors use this name to refer to Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Both are ongoing, or chronic, diseases. They have some similarities, but also some important differences.
In Crohn’s disease, all layers of the intestinal wall can become swollen and red. Crohn’s disease can affect any segment of the digestive tract. Usually, it affects the end of the small intestine (ileum) and the large intestine (colon). There may be healthy patches of intestine between inflamed patches. While surgery can treat complications, it cannot cure Crohn’s disease.
In ulcerative colitis, only the lining (mucosa) of the intestine becomes inflamed. Ulcerative colitis usually affects the whole length of the colon, though it may affect only part. Unlike Crohn’s disease, there are no healthy patches of intestine between inflamed patches.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children
Most people diagnosed with IBD get it when they are 15 to 35 years old. But some children as young as 3 to 4 years old get IBD. It tends to run in families. About 20% of people with either Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis have a close relative with some form of IBD.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Seattle Children’s
We have treated many children with IBD at Seattle Children’s. Some can control their disease with medicines and careful choices about what they eat and drink. Others need surgery. Our surgeons have extensive experience performing the operations your child may need to improve health and quality of life.
When you come to Children’s, you have a team of people to care for your child before, during and after surgery. Along with your child’s surgeon, you are connected with nurses, dietitians, child life specialists, social workers and others. We work together to meet all of your child’s health needs and help your family through this experience.
Since 1907, Seattle 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.