Chronic bowel inflammation is diagnosed too late in children, adolescents

The average delay between initial symptoms and diagnosis is four to six months. In most cases, the inflammation will by then have spread further.

The most common types of chronic inflammatory bowel disease are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which cause episodic or continuous symptoms of inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to stomach pains, diarrhea, and bloody stools, other symptoms that have been observed are weight loss, stunted growth, a raised temperature, and loss of appetite. For the diagnosis, early and comprehensive examination is crucial, because this form of bowel disorder cannot be unequivocally determined otherwise. The treatment includes adapted drug therapy and a specific diet, if required. The authors found that healthcare provision for children and adolescents with chronic inflammatory bowel disease can be improved. To this end, the guidelines for the diagnostic evaluation and therapy would need to be implemented more stringently.