Crohn's Colitis in Infancy

Abstract

Crohns disease is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory disorder involving any region of the alimentary tract from the mouth to the anus. Its pathogenesis is not known but immunological disturbance has been suggested by many authors. In Crohns colitis the inflammatory process tends to be eccentric and segmental with normal regions of bowel between inflamed areas ("skip areas"). Colonic involvement alone occurs in 10% (granulomatous colitis). Although there are many similarities between ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease there are also major differences in the clinical course and distribution of the disease in the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence of Crohns disease has been increasing over the past 10 years and it was reported to be 3-4/100 000. It may rarely present in the first year of life. We report a case of Crohns colitis because it is rare at this age and appeared at our hospital in an infant for the first time. (excerpt)