Kelts D G, Grand R J
Curr Probl Pediatr. 1980 Mar;10(5):1-40. doi: 10.1016/s0045-9380(80)80010-7.
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are significant childhood illnesses. With their many extraintestinal manifestations, they may masquerade as fever of unknown etiology, arthritis, anorexia nervosa, growth hormone deficiency, collagen-vascular disease, idiopathic growth retardation and even irritable bowel syndrome of childhood. In any child who presents with growth failure and/or chronic abdominal pain with fever or weight loss, the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease must be considered. As in any other chronic disease of childhood, long-term management will often challenge the physician emotionally and intellectually. As the etiology is yet unknown and a definitive cure is lacking, proper treatment depends on optimal medical and surgical management and supportive care.
