Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The University Hospitals Rainbow Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center is the first of its kind in the region, where children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, can receive the most advanced care possible. Our goal is to reduce active flares and help kids lead happier, healthier lives.
Call to Make an Appointment Today
To schedule an appointment with a UH Rainbow pediatric IBD specialist, call 216-844-1765 and speak with Colleen Fearon, RN.
Schedule Online Request Second OpinionWhy Choose UH?
- Commitment to Improving Care
-
The UH Rainbow Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center is dedicated to bringing the latest medicines and therapies to patients with IBD. As a member of the ImproveCareNow Network, a national quality improvement consortium, we collaborate with physicians and patients at other IBD care centers across the country and internationally. This collaboration enables us to identify and introduce new best practices in the treatment of IBD.
- Research, Clinical Trials & Advanced Treatments
-
As an academic medical center, we actively advance the health and well-being of children living with IBD through ongoing research and clinical trials that lead to tomorrow's standard of care.
With a team that is on the forefront of IBD research, we are able to bring cutting-edge medications to patients faster – giving them access to innovative treatments that may not be available at other hospitals.
- Multidisciplinary Team
-
Our team brings together specialists from across many pediatric disciplines to provide the most comprehensive care for IBD patients. These experts include:
- Pediatric gastroenterologist (digestive health specialist)
- Pediatric hepatologist (liver expert)
- Pediatric interventional radiologists
- Pediatric psychologist
- Certified nurse practitioner (CNP)
- Dietitian
- Social worker
- IBD pharmacist
- Infusion therapy coordinator
- Clinical trials coordinator
- Integrative medicine specialist
What is IBD?
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is an umbrella term used to describe chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. IBD affects up to 80,000 children and adolescents across the U.S. The two main forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Up to 20 percent of patients with IBD may also experience irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. Like IBD, this condition affects how the muscles contract in the intestines. However, IBD and IBS are not the same disease.
IBD in children is on the rise in the U.S. Some experts attribute this increase to environmental, genetic and dietary factors. The exact cause of IBD is unknown at this time and there is not a cure at this time for IBD.
IBD Symptoms
The most common symptoms of IBD are:
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Diarrhea
- Rectal bleeding
- Frequent or urgent bowel movements
- Delayed growth
- Weight loss
If your child is experiencing these symptoms, he or she should see a pediatric digestive health specialist as soon as possible.
Treating Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis & Other Forms of IBD
IBD not only causes discomfort and pain, it also can affect your child’s growth and development if left untreated. Catching and treating IBD in children as early as possible leads to the best outcomes. Early diagnosis and treatment help minimize structural damage to the digestive tract so that children can live as normally as possible.
Even though the cause of IBD is still unknown, many effective inflammatory bowel disease treatments are available. These treatments can help your child lead a healthy, active life. The goal of our pediatric GI and IBD specialists is not only to make sure our patients feel better. We also want them to be able to manage their disease for life.
Learn more about IBD diagnosis & treatment
Transitioning Older Children to Adult IBD Care
Making the transition from pediatric to adult care is a big step for adolescents and young adults with IBD. To make this transition as successful as possible, we start teaching patients how to take care of themselves and manage their disease and therapies, with this education starting as early as 11 years old.
Our IBD transition team, in collaboration with the adult GI team at UH, helps patients navigate the process smoothly. This allows patients to seamlessly continue their treatment plans.
Second Opinion IBD Clinic
UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Second Opinion Pediatric IBD Clinic helps families navigate a new diagnosis.
Patient Resources
Discover trusted sources of information that can help patients and families in their IBD journey.
Research & Clinical Trials
Learn about the latest in IBD research and clinical trials being offered through the UH Rainbow IBD Center.
Your child’s health is important. Don’t delay care.
To schedule an appointment with a UH Rainbow pediatric IBD specialist, call 216-844-1765 and speak with Colleen Fearon, RN.