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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 21, 2008; 14(3): 413-420
Published online Jan 21, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.413
Special issues in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease
Marla Dubinsky
Marla Dubinsky, Pediatric IBD Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States
Correspondence to: Marla Dubinsky, MD, Pediatric IBD Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, 8700 Beverly Boulevard, Suite 1165W, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States. dubinskym@csmc.edu
Telephone: +1-310-4237100
Fax: +1-310-4231402
Received: May 16, 2007
Revised: July 4, 2007
Published online: January 21, 2008
Abstract

The incidence of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is rising and recent advances in diagnostics and therapeutics have improved the care provided to these children. There are distinguishing features worth noting between early onset and adult onset IBD. Physical and psychosocial development remains a critical target for the comprehensive management of pediatric IBD. Children are not just little adults and consideration must be given to the stages of development and how these stages impact disease presentation and management. The final stage will be the transition from pediatric care to that of adult oriented care and special consideration must be given to make this a successful process. This review highlights special considerations in the management of the child with IBD.

Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn’s disease