Characteristics of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children

A Croatian Single-Centre Retrospective Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15719968
AuthorsIvan Pivac (0000-0002-7140-9546, University of Split), Antonia Jeličić Kadić (0000-0002-1873-960X, University of Split), Ranka Despot (University of Split), Vanda Žitko (University of Split), Darija Tudor (University of Split), Edita Runjić (0000-0003-3032-4279, University of Split), Joško Markić (0000-0001-9469-9278, University of Split, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume10
Issue10
Pages1677-1677
Publication date2023-10-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children10101677
OpenAlexW4387570741
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited44

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), encompassing ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), are chronic gastrointestinal disorders often diagnosed in youth, presenting unique features compared to adult-onset cases. We aimed to profile pediatric IBD patients in Croatia through a retrospective analysis of children up to 18 years old diagnosed with IBD at the University Hospital of Split from 1 January 2012, to 31 December 2021, utilizing data collected during hospitalization for diagnosis. Over a decade, 107 children were diagnosed, with 43.9% having UC, 55.1% CD, and 0.9% IBD-unclassified. Median age at diagnosis was 14.1 years, with UC patients being older (14.8 vs. 13.7 years, p = 0.044). Males constituted 60.7% of patients. Median symptom duration was 2.0 months, with CD patients experiencing a longer diagnostic delay (3.0 vs. 2.0 months, p = 0.003). The median incidence rate was 9.89 (95% CI 5.93–13.84) per 100,000 children/year, varying across age groups. Median (IQR) BMI z-score was −0.34 (−0.97–0.45). Common symptoms included diarrhea (60.7%) and abdominal pain (50.5%), with rectal bleeding more prevalent in UC (72.3% vs. 32.2%, p < 0.001). While our study offers valuable insights into pediatric IBD in Croatia, further prospective research is needed to clarify disease progression and development

Abdominal pain · Crohn's disease · Diarrhea · Disease · Incidence (geometry · Inflammatory Bowel Diseases · Pediatric gastroenterology · Retrospective cohort study · Ulcerative colitis · Inflammatory Bowel Disease · Medicine · Microscopic Colitis · Pregnancy and Medication Impact · Gastroenterology · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access