Evaluation of Growth in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate changes in growth parameters in children diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

The data of children with IBD between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and BMI [body mass index]), and clinical and laboratory data were evaluated at diagnosis and follow-up (1st and 2nd year). Patients' growth was assessed by calculating weight-for-age, height-for-age, BMI-for-age, and growth velocity z-scores.

RESULTS

Thirty-six patients (46.2%) had Crohn's disease (CD), and 42 (53.8%) had ulcerative colitis (UC). Weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age z-scores significantly increased over the follow-up period in the CD patients (p < 0.05). Growth velocity z-scores were also significantly higher in the second year compared to the first year in the CD patients (p < 0.001). Improvements in weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age z-scores were not significant over the two-year follow-up in the UC patients (p > 0.05). Growth velocity z-scores in the UC patients were higher in the second year compared to the first year, but this difference was not significant (p = 0.115).

CONCLUSIONS

The growth parameters showed improvement after a two-year follow-up. Regular anthropometric measurements, along with clinical and laboratory markers, should be used to monitor treatment response, which can help achieve optimal growth in children with IBD.