INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD: RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF DEMOGRAPHIC, CLINICAL AND TREATMENT CHARACTERISTICS IN A SINGLE CENTER

https://doi.org/10.71284/tjmhs.2026322

Özet

Objective: The increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in childhood has made it an
important disease in pediatric gastroenterology. This study aimed to evaluate the demographic, clinical,
laboratory, and endoscopic characteristics, treatment modalities, and follow-up outcomes of pediatric
patients with IBD.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 24 pediatric patients with IBD (14 females,
58%) aged 7–18 years who were followed between 2023 and 2025 through a collaboration between the
Departments of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Public Health at Karabük University Faculty of
Medicine. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, physical examination findings, endoscopic features,
and treatment modalities were analyzed.
Results: The mean age was 15.3 years, and 10 patients (42%) were male. Ulcerative colitis (UC) was
diagnosed in 16 patients (67%) and Crohn’s disease (CD) in 8 (33%). Bloody stool was the most common
presenting symptom in UC (100%), whereas abdominal pain predominated in CD (88%). Most patients
(85%) lived in urban areas. Pancolitis was detected in 6 UC patients (38%), while colonic involvement
was observed in 5 CD patients (63%). All UC patients received mesalazine; 6 (38%) also received anti
TNF therapy, 1 (6%) upadacitinib, and 1 (6%) ustekinumab. Among CD patients, 4 (50%) received anti
TNF therapy, 1 (13%) ustekinumab, 1 (13%) Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED) plus azathioprine,
1 (13%) ruxolitinib and 1 (13%) guselkumab. No patient required surgery during follow-up.
Conclusion: Biologic agents and novel targeted therapies have improved disease control in pediatric
IBD and may reduce complications and the need for surgery.
Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease, pediatric, biologic agents