140,000 children under the age of 21 have IBD, according to Athos Bousvaros, M.D., former Chairperson of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. “We can’t prove this yet, but the incidence of IBD among children and young adults seems to be increasing dramatically,” Athos said in a 2006 report published by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
More and more babies and children, even less than a year of age, show up in their gastro-pediatrics with Crohn’s or colitis. The sad truth associated with this upheaval is that Crohn’s and Colitis are chronic diseases. There is no care and management of children with symptoms of both Crohn’s and Colitis.
Adult learning Understanding Crohn’s, Colitis, and IBD is difficult and requires constant vigilance and learning. Children in either disease must learn about cleanliness, physical, and social. It is likely that medication will be required, which will be administered by the parent. These kids will experience unexpected bowel movements, pain and bloating that they may not understand. Because they look healthy, parents present a challenge when school teachers and school administrators educate the child about the disease without confusing it.
Many parents of kids with Crohn’s, Colitis or IBD, with advanced symptoms more easily socially, physically; and emotionally home his child. Frequent hospitalizations, monthly or bi-monthly intravenous infusions or other medications, and vague abdominal pain and pain throughout the body can lead to out of school so often they keep it hard and bear it. For these homeschool provides a healthy alternative for kids.
Kid events for Crohn’s, Colitis, and IBD patients are not all common. However, many state chapters of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, like Georgia, sponsor camps and other events for kids with similar problems. The goal is to create a non-threatening environment for Crohn’s kids to be treated as kids. Concerns about medications and procedures are handled by a volunteer staff of doctors, nurses and sympathetic adults, many of whom have Crohn’s or Colitis.
The cause of Crohn’s and Colitis are unknown, although the incidence of these chronic diseases has increased in sons leads researchers to believe Subtle changes in the environment of our microbial world can provide a better environment for certain diseases in humans.
Kids with Crohn’s, Colitis, or IBD face significant challenges that their peers never understand. Children who can work with their parents and doctors to lead a normal life can develop habits and work.
While research continues, there is always hope for a cure. New medications in the field of gastroenterology continue to be launched, although they are often slower as children, many of these drugs show promise for major indications.
Crohn’s and Colitis education supports foundations like the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America by increasing public awareness, which helps them raise funds for research, education, and support for Crohn’s and Colitis patients.
Resources:
Anonymous Parenting Children with Crohn’s, Colitis, and IBD. Jan 2008 – April 2008.
Crane, Margaret W. “The Pain and Promise of Youth: A Renewing Commitment to Pediatric Research.” Under the Microscope: Research News Bulletin from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Spring 2006.
