Ulcerative Colitis

Treatment of Children

Ulcerative colitis is a common condition and Mayo Clinic pediatric specialists have treated thousands of young patients with this disease. Children needing hospitalization are treated at Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital in Rochester. Doctors at Mayo Clinic locations in Jacksonville and Scottsdale treat patients 16 years of age and older.

Diagnosis

Most children with ulcerative colitis present with blood in their stool and diarrhea. Slow growth is not as big a problem in ulcerative colitis than in Crohn's disease. The process of diagnosis for children with ulcerative colitis is the same as for adults. Read more about diagnosis.

Treatment Options

Roughly half of young patients with ulcerative colitis have already received steroids for their disease upon referral to Mayo Clinic. Understanding that long-term steroid use can have harmful effects on growth and bone development, your doctor may choose to use other anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive medication to reduce the need for steroids. Physicians may recommend commercially available nutritional supplements, especially in cases of malnutrition or in children whose growth has been slowed by their disease.

Young patients are at particular risk for growth retardation or for delay of sexual maturation. In addition, given the length of time that young patients are treated, they are susceptible to long-term complications from medications. Some children with ulcerative colitis miss school or have a difficult time sitting through classes because of painful cramps, frequent diarrhea or nausea.

If ulcerative colitis cannot be managed with conventional medication, your doctor may propose experimental trials or surgery for this disease. Mayo's colorectal surgery program is one of the largest in the world and its surgeons are at the forefront of minimally invasive surgery for ulcerative colitis.

It is important for young patients and their families to become educated about ulcerative colitis and maintain communication with their doctors. Read more about treatment.

Treatment Team

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