Ulcerative Colitis

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 needing hospitalization are treated at Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital.

Doctors at Mayo Clinic in Florida and Mayo Clinic in Arizona treat young people 16 years of age and older.

At Mayo Clinic, many specialists work together to address the unique concerns of children and teens with ulcerative colitis. Team members include pediatric surgeons, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, dietitians and psychologists. All are committed to providing and compassionate care for young patients and their families.

Diagnosis

Most children with ulcerative colitis have the same symptoms adults do, and the disease is diagnosed in the same way. Read more about diagnosis. But ulcerative colitis often takes an even greater physical and emotional toll on young people.

Children with ulcerative colitis 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 Embarrassment about their symptoms can make them shy, withdrawn or depressed. And the disease can have a profound effect on developing bodies, slowing growth and delaying sexual maturation.

Pediatric specialists at Mayo Clinic are concerned not only with symptoms of disease but also with your child's overall physical, emotional and social well-being. Young patients and their families work closely with a psychologist who can help them navigate the day-to-day difficulties of living with the disease.

Treatment

By the time they're referred to Mayo Clinic, nearly half of young patients with ulcerative colitis have already received steroids for their disease. Because long-term steroid use can have harmful effects on growth and bone development as well as long-term complications, your child's doctor may choose to use other anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drugs to reduce the need for steroids.

If ulcerative colitis can't be managed with conventional drugs, your doctor may suggest enrolling your child in a clinical trial or ask you to consider surgical options. Mayo's colorectal surgery program is one of the largest in the world and its surgeons are expert in minimally invasive surgery, which can reduce pain and shorten hospital stays 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.