Crohn's Disease

Treatment of Children

Mayo Clinic pediatric specialists have treated thousands of young patients with Crohn's Disease. Children needing hospitalization are treated at the Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital in Minnesota. Doctors at Mayo Clinic in Florida and Arizona treat patients 16 years of age and older.

Diagnosis

Although children may present with symptoms of slow growth, in general, the process of diagnosis of children with Crohn's disease is the same as it is for adults. Read more about diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Drug dosages are tailored to a child's weight, and their administration is planned to coincide with school schedules. Younger patients are closely monitored and treated for pharmaceutical side effects that can include malnutrition or growth retardation. It is important for younger patients and their families to be educated about Crohn's disease and maintain communication with their doctors.

Young patients are at particular risk for growth retardation, or for delay of sexual maturation. In addition, given the length of time that they are treated, they are susceptible to long-term complications from medications. Children with Crohn's sometimes miss school due to painful cramps, frequent diarrhea or nausea.

Mayo doctors work with Crohn's patients to treat symptoms and delay or avoid surgery if possible. However, surgery is sometimes necessary for patients who do not respond to medication or develop complications such as bowel obstruction, abscesses or fistulas, and in children who fail to grow despite treatment. Approximately 50 to 70 percent of children and adolescents with Crohn's require surgery within 10 to 15 years after the disease is first diagnosed. Mayo colorectal surgeons have special expertise in minimally invasive surgery. Read more about treatment.

Treatment Team

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