Management of acute severe ulcerative colitis in children

Abstract

The incidence of pediatric-onset ulcerative colitis (UC) is rising. Children often present with a more severe disease phenotype as compared to adults with over a third requiring hospitalization for the management of acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC). Further, in pediatric patients presenting with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) limited to the colon, a definitive diagnosis of UC vs. Crohn's disease is often unclear. Here, we review the unique aspects of pediatric ASUC including the epidemiology, diagnosis, medical, and surgical management of this disease.

Keywords: Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI); Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease; Toxic megacolon; Ulcerative colitis.