What Parents Should Know about Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

As most parents know, stomach and digestive problems are an occasional issue in every kid’s life. This may take the form of a stomachache, diarrhea or even nausea and vomiting from time to time. The difficulty for parents is determining whether their child just has a run-of-the-mill digestive illness or something more serious like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

What Is IBD?

IBD stands for inflammatory bowel disease, is an umbrella term that encompasses different types of chronic, or long-term, digestive problems. The two most common forms of IBD are:

• Crohn’s disease. A condition characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract lining, most commonly the small intestines. But it can be anywhere from the mouth to the anus.  It causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and rectal bleeding.
• Ulcerative colitis. A condition that causes both inflammation and sores, primarily along the lining of the large intestine or rectum. It typically causes similar symptoms to Crohn’s disease.

IBD most commonly affects people ages 15 to 30, but it can sometimes impact younger children, as well. In fact, the IBD type increasing in prevalence is the one diagnosed in kids earlier than 6 years of age, referred to as VEOIBD (Very Early Onset IBD). Symptoms can range from mild to severe and be debilitating. People with IBD typically experience periods of active illness, followed by a symptom-free period where the condition goes into remission, once treatment begins.

IBD vs. IBS

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) tends to be confused with a similar sounding, but different condition known as IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome. Unlike IBD, IBS is a disease that impacts bowel function, and it does not cause the inflammation and sores in the lining of the digestive tract like IBD can. However, it can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, gassiness and other similar digestive symptoms.

IBD vs. Common Stomach Issues

Of course, as mentioned, occasional stomach issues are just a part of childhood. It’s all too common for your child to get a stomachache, feel nauseous, or even experience diarrhea and vomiting. The difference between the common stomach bug and IBD for the patient typically comes down to frequency and severity. If your child’s symptoms don’t go away after a few days, get worse, or go away and then come back with regularity, then it’s probably time for a visit with your doctor.

Managing IBD

Inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are lifelong illnesses, but the good news is that both can be managed quite effectively with proper treatment. This typically includes a combination of medication and some dietary changes, including:

• Keeping a food diary to identify trigger foods.
• Cutting back on irritating foods such as spicy, greasy, fibrous or dairy items.
• Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Reducing intake of dehydrating liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol or carbonation.
• Eating smaller meals more frequently rather than large meals.
• Avoiding proceed foods.
• Staying away from foods containing high sugar.
• Eating mostly organic and fresh products.

Other lifestyle habits that can help reduce IBD symptoms include getting plenty of sleep, staying physically active and taking steps to reduce stress. Surgery is also sometimes a treatment for IBD, although this typically is only needed later in life if complications arise from the disease.

Untreated IBD can lead to more severe symptoms and even more serious health complications over time, so it’s important for IBD to be properly diagnosed and treated by a doctor. If your child is experiencing abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue or unexplained weight loss that is persistent, growth failure or symptoms become more severe over time or go away only to return later, then it’s worth a visit with your primary care provider to make sure IBD isn’t present.

A Breakthrough for IBD Patients

Recently, doctors have refined a less invasive technique for diagnosing and monitoring patients with IBD that is known as intestinal ultrasound (IUS). This test is significantly easier on the patient, as it replaces the need for multiple colonoscopies with a noninvasive imaging test. Intestinal ultrasound involves placing an ultrasound wand on the abdomen to view the contents of the intestines, similar to how ultrasound is used to view a fetus. This new IUS technology will be available at the Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists at Alton Road location later in 2024 with select physicians who are specially trained in this procedure, offering a significant advancement for patients with IBD.

The Division of Gastroenterology at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital

The Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is dedicated to the treatment of a wide variety of gastrointestinal problems in children and adolescents. The team employs a multidisciplinary approach that brings together an array of specialists to deliver personalized care to the patient and family. The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center provides comprehensive support and management for children and young adults with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, while the Gastrointestinal (GI) Center offers nutritional assessment and counseling for overweight children, as well as those with dietary restrictions.

Consultations with the division’s board-certified physicians are offered in both English and Spanish right here in Miami Beach at the Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Specialists at Alton Road location, as well as at the hospital’s main campus near Coral Gables and Nicklaus Children’s outpatient centers located from southern Miami-Dade to Martin counties. For more information, please visit nickaluschildrens.org/Gastroenterology.