Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic illness of the gastrointestinal tract. Inflammatory bowel disease can be mistaken as many other medical problems in children, such as growth failure. Some may be stricken with rheumatoid arthritis, liver disease, gall bladder, or eye disease. Victims can suffer from frequent bouts with diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding.
Symptoms are more severe and the mortality rate is highest in younger children.
Parents should also talk to pediatricians about inflammatory bowel disease when children are being treated for chronic diarrhea, constant stomachaches, arthritis, or other ailments. Copyright 1999 Baylor College of Medicine. All Rights Reserved.