Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease frequently occur in children as well as young adults. About 20 percent of cases involve children, and an early diagnosis is crucial to avoid delays in growth and sexual maturation as well as other long-term complications.

Symptoms are similar to those in adults–abdominal cramping and pain, bloody diarrhea, weight loss and fatigue. Diagnosis is difficult because endoscopic equipment may be too large for a child’s body. A correct diagnosis is important, however, to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures for a less serious problem such as irritable bowel syndrome, which has similar symptoms.
[SOURCE: L. Jodell McLemore, “Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” Radiologic Technology, March-April, 2007]

No H. Pylori-GERD Link found
                                                                                               

Most stomach ulcers are caused by helicobacter pylori bacteria and can be treated effectively with antibiotics. Based on early studies, some experts suggested that the presence of helicobacter pylori may decrease the risk of acid reflux. However, a recent study of 1,558 patients successfully treated for helicobacter pylori infection in Bristol, England found that eradication of the bacteria had no significant impact on the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn.

[SOURCE: “Value of Eradicating H. Pylori,” Family Practice News, August 15, 2004]

No Increased Mortality Risk Found 
                                                                                                No increased risk of death was found in patients with ulcerative colitis, according to a meta-analysis of population-based studies conducted by Danish researchers. Certain sub-groups of patients did have increased rates of dying.

Another study published in the same issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology found no increased risk of cardiovascular-related deaths associated with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
[SOURCE: Tine Jess, Michael Gamborg, Pia Munkholm and Thorkild I.A. Sorensen, “Overall and Cause-Specific Mortality in Ulcerative Colitis: Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Inception Cohort Studies,” American Journal of Gastroenterology, March, 2007; Spencer D. Dorn and Robert S. Sandler, “Inflammatory Bowel disease Is Not a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease Mortality,” American Journal of Gastroenterology, March, 2007]



Ulcerative Colitis Incidence Higher in Industrialized Countries
                                               

Ulcerative colitis, the most common form of inflammatory bowel disease, affects persons in every country of the world. The highest incidence, however, is in industrialized countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Scandinavia. Whites and persons of Jewish descent have a higher than usual risk.
[SOURCE: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, “Ulcerative Colitis,” NIH Publication No. 06-1597, February, 2006]



What Causes Ulcerative Colitis?
                                                                                   

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis may get worse during periods of emotional stress, but doctors now know that stress does not cause the inflammation in the bowels that characterizes the disease.

Current knowledge indicates that ulcerative colitis is caused by a complex interaction of heredity and actions of the immune system, which may be either over-reacting or unable to stop an invading organism. According to another theory, the use of antibiotics may disrupt the normal balance of bacteria in the intestinal tract.
[SOURCE: L. Jodell McLemore, “Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” Radiologic Technology, March-April, 2007]