Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease 

A girl laying in bed looking sad and sick

Find treatment for children with IBD, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis

If your child has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), our pediatric gastroenterologists can help them manage symptoms and enjoy an active life. At Doernbecher, you’ll find:  

  • Compassionate, personalized care for your child. 
  • The only pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) program in Oregon. 
  • Pediatric gastroenterologists who are experts in treating children with IBD. 
  • A team of GI specialists who support your child’s entire well-being. 

Understanding pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

What is inflammatory bowel disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation (swelling) in your child’s digestive tract. In IBD, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy bowel wall. This may cause chronic inflammation and other damage that requires care from a gastroenterologist. The exact cause of IBD is unknown. It is thought that multiple factors contribute to its development. 

IBD can impact the entire digestive system and continue through adulthood. For some people, IBD is only a mild illness. For others, it's a debilitating disease that can lead to life-threatening complications.  

Pediatric IBD includes Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, indeterminate colitis and very early onset IBD (VEO IBD) occurring in children under 6 years old.  Symptoms often include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss.  

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn's disease is a type of IBD that affects the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. It inflames the intestinal walls of both the small and large intestine, but it can also damage the upper gastrointestinal tract and area around the anus. In some cases, connections form between loops of the intestine, neighboring organs and skin. 

What is ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a type of IBD that causes inflammation and sores (ulcers) inside the colon. It can affect part of the colon or the whole colon.   

Symptoms of IBD

Symptoms of IBD in children often include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, fatigue and weight loss. Other symptoms include: 

  • Constipation 
  • Blood in stool 
  • Poor growth 
  • Low energy 
  • Joint pain 
  • Skin rashes 
  • Anemia 
  • Mouth sores 

Treatments for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

 In treating IBD, we consider how the disease affects your child’s physical, nutritional, psychological and social well-being. Treatment approach may include: 

  • Medications 
  • Nutrition therapy and diet adjustment 
  • Intestinal ultrasound performed in clinic to adjust therapy and monitor response to treatment 
  • Mental health support  
  • Endoscopic procedures 
  • Capsule endoscopy 
  • Surgery 
  • Pre- and post-surgical nutrition support 
  • Access to clinical trials for promising new treatments 

Your family and your child will meet with our multidisciplinary team with expertise in all aspects of IBD care. This includes gastroenterologists, dietitians, psychologists, nurses, pediatric immunologists, pediatric surgeons and adult IBD specialists. Together, we help your child:

  • Get excellent care.  
  • Learn more about their condition.  
  • Manage symptoms, nutrition and medications.  
  • Create a care plan that considers their physical, mental and social well-being. 
  • Avoid emergency visits or unplanned surgery. 

Meet our team

Your child will receive care from our team of GI experts with special training in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. We will also help you:  

  • Communicate with insurance carriers to help get treatment approved. 
  • Collaborate with needed specialists to integrate your child’s care experience. 
  • Brittany Cummiskey, Pharm.D. 
  • Johanna Yabusaki, Pharm.D. 
  • Kayla Miller, social worker 
  • Michelle Blatter, RN, IBD nurse coordinator

Resources for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

For families

Call 503-494-1078 to: 

  • Request an appointment
  • Seek a second opinion
  • Ask a question

Locations

Parking is free for patients and their visitors.

Doernbecher Children’s Hospital
700 S.W. Campus Drive
Portland, OR 97239
Map and directions

Find other locations across Oregon and in southwest Washington.

For providers

Medical treatment guides