Crohn's Disease

Treatment of Children

Children and teens can develop ulcerative colitis, and Mayo Clinic pediatric specialists have treated thousands of young ulcerative colitis patients at the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center for Children at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Young patients who need hospitalization are treated at Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital.

At Mayo Clinic, many specialists work together as an integrated team to address the unique concerns of children and teens with inflammatory bowel disease. Team members include pediatric surgeons, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, dietitians and psychologists. This approach to care is essential because Crohn's disease can take an even greater physical and emotional toll on young people than it does on adults.

Children with Crohn's disease may miss school or have a hard time sitting through classes because of painful cramps, diarrhea and nausea. Embarrassment about their symptoms can make them shy, withdrawn or depressed. The disease can also have a profound effect on developing bodies by slowing growth and delaying sexual maturation.

Mayo Clinic pediatric specialists are concerned not only with disease but also with your child's overall physical, emotional and social well-being. You and your child will work closely with a psychologist and other specialists who can help you navigate the day-to-day difficulties of living with Crohn's.

Mayo's commitment to supportive and ongoing care is especially important for younger patients. The longer a person has Crohn's disease, the more likely it is that complications of the disease or of treatment will occur, so careful, long-term monitoring is essential. Through the years, your child's doctors can also help with crucial decisions about immunizations, travel, sports and school activities.

Diagnosis

Most children with Crohn's disease have the same symptoms adults do, and the disease is diagnosed in the same way. But advanced imaging tests developed by Mayo Clinic researchers are especially important for young patients. Tests such as MR enterography aren't painful or invasive and don't require anesthesia. More importantly, they don't expose your child to ionizing radiation, which is a concern when repeated imaging tests are needed over the years. Read more about diagnosis.

Treatment

Mayo Clinic doctors work with you and your child to determine the safest and most effective treatment plans. As much as possible, your child's doctors will avoid prescribing steroids, which can have a serious effect on growth and development as well as on overall health.

Doctors also try to delay or avoid surgery, but it may become necessary if your child doesn't respond to medications, develops complications or fails to grow despite treatment. Mayo has one of the largest colorectal surgery programs in the world and a team of surgeons skilled in bowel sparing and minimally invasive surgeries. This means shorter hospital stays, and quicker, less painful recoveries for young patients. Read more about treatment.

Treatment Team

This disease is treated by specialists in the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center and the Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery.

Appointments

For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 507-538-3270 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, or complete an online appointment request form.