Management of acute severe ulcerative colitis in children

Semin Pediatr Surg. 2017 Dec;26(6):367-372. doi: 10.1053/j.sempedsurg.2017.10.006. Epub 2017 Oct 5.

Abstract

The incidence of pediatric-onset ulcerative colitis (UC) is rising. Children often present with a more severe disease phenotype as compared to adults with over a third requiring hospitalization for the management of acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC). Further, in pediatric patients presenting with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) limited to the colon, a definitive diagnosis of UC vs. Crohn's disease is often unclear. Here, we review the unique aspects of pediatric ASUC including the epidemiology, diagnosis, medical, and surgical management of this disease.

Keywords: Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI); Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease; Toxic megacolon; Ulcerative colitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Colectomy
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / diagnosis
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / epidemiology
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / etiology
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents

Supplementary concepts

  • Pediatric ulcerative colitis