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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How is Crohn's disease in children diagnosed?

    Related Topics
    Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Digestive Health
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    Thanks

    Prof Andrew Day

    Paediatrician

    Children of any age can develop Crohn disease: however the most common age is in early adolescence (e.g. 12-14 years old). It can present in the first year of life, and any time thereafter.

    Although many children with Crohn disease (CD) have more typical symptoms of pain, diarrhoea and weight loss, a number have just one or two of these symptoms, or any of other symptoms 9not getting taller, mouth ulcers, lip swelling, bloody motions, lethargy etc etc).

    The main thing with diagnosing CD in children is thinking about it and recognising that it can present in all ages and with various symptoms.

    The first step is for standard blood tests and stool tests, to look for signs of inflammation and to rule out other causes (such as bowel infections). The next step is scope tests. All children with suspected CD should have a scoipe test to look at the top part of the gut (stomach and first part of the bowel) as well as a scope test to look at the bottom end (colonoscopy - looking at the large bowel and the far end of the small bowel). Most children would also have one or other xray tests to look at the small bowel inbetween (this can't be reached with the standard scope tests).

    A diagnosis of CD can then be made upon assessment of the scope results, the findings of the samples taken from the surface of the gut and the results of the xray tests.

    Making a clear diagnosis in children is vitally important to make sure that they receive the appropriate treatment and that things can be controlled well.

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