Me, My Child, and IBD

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic, painful disorders that affect the intestinal tract.

• In the United States, it is currently estimated that about 1.3 million people suffer from IBD, of which ten percent are under the age of 18.
• IBD often takes an even greater physical and emotional toll on young people, slowing their growth.
• The chance of developing ulcerative colitis in childhood and adolescence is less than the chance of developing Crohn’s disease.

Megan Wagner R.N., CPN and Dr. William Faubion, M.D., pediatric and adult gastroenterologist, talk about medication side-effects, treatment plans, proper nutrition and remission, for children with IBD.

Doctors at Mayo Clinic's Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center for Children specialize in providing the care that children require for IBD, including diagnostic tests that don't expose your child to radiation and alternative medications that reduce the need for steroids. Pediatric IBD specialists are actively engaged in multiple research efforts to improve the treatment of children with IBD. These efforts include new treatments, nationwide collaborations to improve the effectiveness of existing treatments and understanding the cause of IBD.

Meet other people talking about IBD on Mayo Clinic Connect. Join the conversation, share experiences, ask questions, and discover your support network...

• Diagnosed with Crohn's but having weird symptoms
• Gastroenterology/3 year old boy