797 Infliximab in the Treatment of Pediatric Ibd: A Single Centre Experience

Abstract

Background and aims: The biological treatment of IBD acts on different stages of immunophysiopathological processes of the disease. We describe evolution and clinical response to Infliximab in paediatric patients affected by IBD diagnosed and followed at our centre. Methods: In the last triennial period at our Department of Paediatrics in Palermo 53 infusions of Infliximab were administrated to our patients affected by severe forms of IBD. All patients but one were affected by several forms of CD. Only one child was affected by U.C. associated to pyoderma gangrenosum. The total number of infusions were administrated according the ACCENT 1 study at a dose of 5 mg/Kg. All the infusions were preceded by e.v. administration of chlorpheniramine to avoid immunological reactions. The mean length of time of infusion was of 3 hours. Results: Our experience on this biological drug was positive, in fact treated patients showed a good clinical response. None had adverse reactions. Only a 12 years old female patient with fistulising Crohn's disease, presented a flare of the disease one year after discontinuation of IFX. Some other patients, several months after the last infusion of Infliximab, were in remission state. Conclusions: Infliximab has a great potential in improving the treatment also of pediatric IBD. However, its role in long-term therapy is not yet clear and it remains to be determined which is the long term tolerability of the drug and to examine if the effectiveness of the drug is reduced or not by the discontinuation of its administration.