Special features of inflammatory bowel disease in children

Chronic inflammatory incurable bowel disease (IBD) – Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) – are chronic inflammations located in the gastrointestinal tract, associated with long-term morbidity and a highly variable clinical course. Both diseases may start in childhood – moreover – an increasing proportion of children and adolescents are afflicted each year. Pediatric patients present a vulnerable population and require a special approach, particularly concerning maintenance of normal growth and development. This article focuses on specific features of the epidemiology, genetics, clinical presentation, and treatment of IBD in children.