What Is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) gets swollen and red (inflammation). This is an ongoing, or chronic, condition. Ulcerative colitis is one of the illnesses considered part of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Doctors don’t know the exact cause of ulcerative colitis. 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 ulcerative colitis. Over time, the ongoing inflammation can cause sores (ulcers) and damage the intestine.
Ulcerative colitis usually affects the entire colon. Sometimes it affects only a part of the colon. Unlike a similar condition, Crohn's disease, there are no healthy patches of intestine between inflamed patches.
Ulcerative Colitis in Children
Most people who get diagnosed with ulcerative colitis are between the ages of 15 and 30. But it can also develop in younger or older people.
Ulcerative colitis tends to run in families. About 20% of people with ulcerative colitis have a close relative with some form of inflammatory bowel disease. But the link is not completely clear.
Ulcerative Colitis at Seattle Children’s
We have treated many children with ulcerative colitis. An important part of our service is working with children and families to get good results without surgery whenever possible. Many children can control ulcerative colitis by taking medicine and making careful choices about what they eat and drink.
When these measures aren't enough, some children need surgery. Our surgeons are experienced in performing the operation most commonly used for this disease, called total abdominal colectomy and ileoanal pull-through. We have performed more then 100 of these operations in the past decade.
When you come to Seattle 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.