Children and adults are diagnosed with Crohn's using the same diagnostic procedures. It is sometimes difficult to differentiate Crohn's from a host of other digestive disorders, however, once it is pinpointed, it can be treated. When dealing with children, it is important to remember that since Crohn's can affect the absorption of nutrients into the body, the disease can potentially sabotage growth and development in a young sufferer. In addition, children may experience disruptions in their academic and social development due to frequent absences from school as Crohn's Disease often causes cramping and severe abdominal pain.



It is important for parents to become familiar with all aspects of Crohn's Disease and be able to relate them to their children. This process of communication is not only important for Children with Crohn's are at high risk for problems with growth and proper sexual maturity. Furthermore, since they are often treated with various medications at an early age, the complications due to side effects from pharmaceutical drugs becomes much more prevalent.

The most common medication treatments for Crohn's Disease in children include aminosalicylates, which are often used to treat mild to moderate cases. Corticosteroids are usually reserved for severe cases to reduce inflammation and hopefully drive the disease into remission. Corticosteroids are highly effective; however, they often result in serious physical and mental side effects.

Since one of the theories on the cause of Crohn's Disease is infection within the digestive tract, antibiotics are often used to treat Crohn's. The most accepted cause of Crohn's Disease is an autoimmune response by the body. To counteract this overaggressive response by the body, immune suppressants are sometimes prescribed to ratchet down the body's ability to attack itself. The risk of serious side effects is great so children taking these drugs have to be carefully monitored. Finally, biologic therapy, which consists of intravenously administering an antibody to fight Crohn's, has been approved by the FDA. This class of drugs is adept at driving Crohn's into remission.

The longer someone has Crohn's the higher the likelihood surgery will become in the future. In fact, while the ultimate goal of medical doctors is to help Crohn's patients avoid surgery, over half of the childhood victims of Crohn's Disease require surgery in about ten to fifteen years after the condition manifests.