By Prof Shaman Rajindrajith (Lady Ridgeway Hospital)
As a consultant gastroenterologist, I’ve dedicated my career to understanding and treating complex gastrointestinal disorders, particularly inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It’s a condition that demands early recognition and intervention, yet far too often, children are presenting late with its debilitating complications.
Imagine the plight of a child suffering in silence, their symptoms misunderstood or overlooked until irreversible damage has occurred. This scenario is unfortunately not uncommon in my practice. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It’s a long-term condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the gut, leading to swelling and irritation in the digestive tract. While it can affect individuals of any age, the incidence in children has been steadily rising in recent years.
Late presentation in children with IBD is concerning for several reasons. Firstly, the delayed diagnosis means delayed initiation of appropriate treatment, which can significantly impact disease progression and quality of life. Secondly, it leads to multiple complications.
Parents, it’s heart-wrenching to imagine our children facing health challenges, yet understanding the potential consequences of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is crucial. Picture a scenario where chronic inflammation hampers your child’s growth, leaving them physically smaller than their peers and struggling to thrive. Malnutrition lurks, as their inflamed intestines struggle to absorb vital nutrients, casting shadows over their overall health. Worse still, imagine the anguish of intestinal strictures, where chronic inflammation causes painful blockages, hindering the natural flow of food through their tiny bodies. Then, the fear of fistula formation, where inflammation creates abnormal connections, potentially leading to life-threatening complications like urinary tract infections. The risk doesn’t end there; prolonged inflammation heightens the spectre of colorectal cancer, casting a shadow over their future. As parents, it’s natural to worry, but understanding these risks empowers us to seek timely medical attention and provide our children with the care and support they deserve.
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of IBD in children is paramount for early intervention. These can vary widely but commonly include long-standing diarrhoea, tummy pain, bloody stools, weight loss, child may be excessively tired, and delayed growth and development. Unfortunately, these symptoms can be nonspecific and easily dismissed as common childhood ailments, leading to diagnostic delays.
As someone who has worked in the field of gastroenterology for over 15 years, I have witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of delayed diagnosis in children with IBD. Too often, by the time these young patients reach my clinic, they are already grappling with advanced disease and its associated complications. It’s a situation that underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and early detection strategies among parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers alike.
Education is key in empowering parents and caregivers to recognize the signs of IBD and seek timely medical evaluation. If your child is experiencing persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult a paediatrician or gastroenterologist for further evaluation.
In addressing the challenges of late presentation and diagnosis in children with IBD, it’s essential to highlight the invaluable role of specialized healthcare services. Lady Ridgeway Hospital, a renowned institution committed to pediatric care, offers a free gastroenterology clinic dedicated to diagnosing and managing gastrointestinal disorders in children. The clinic is available in Room 39 every Thursday at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital where a dedicated team of doctors are working tirelessly to make sure they don’t miss a single kid with this disease.
At the Lady Ridgeway Hospital gastroenterology clinic, children presenting with symptoms suggestive of IBD receive comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plans tailored to their unique needs. Our multidisciplinary team of pediatric gastroenterologists, nurses, and dietitians collaborates to provide holistic care.
In conclusion, inflammatory bowel disease is a challenging condition that requires early recognition and intervention, particularly in children. I urge parents and caregivers to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of IBD and to advocate for timely evaluation and treatment. By working together and leveraging specialized healthcare services such as the gastroenterology clinic at Lady Ridgeway Hospital, we can improve outcomes and quality of life for children affected by IBD. Remember, early detection saves lives. (NewsWire)
