Leaders in Pediatric IBD Research & Clinical Care
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic and complex conditions. That's why it's important to work with physicians who understand inflammatory bowel disease. The University of Chicago Medicine has a long history of excellence in IBD research, and we continue to have access to the latest therapies. The pediatric IBD experts at Comer Children's recognize that every individual is different, so we take a personalized approach to finding the treatment that works best for you.
Understanding Your Child's IBD Diagnosis
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an umbrella term that includes Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis (UC) and indeterminate colitis (also known as IBD-unclassified or IBD-U). These painful diseases involve a dysregulation (abnormality or impairment) of the immune system that injures the lining of the digestive system. This may cause inflammation and ulceration, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, weight loss and/or failure to thrive in children.
Crohn's disease can occur anywhere in the digestive tract, while ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon (large intestine) and rectum. Inflammatory bowel disease also can lead to issues outside of the intestine, including anemia, eye inflammation, skin ulcers, liver disease, kidney stones, impaired growth, joint pain and/or osteoporosis.
Approximately 1.4 million Americans live with inflammatory bowel disease, including many children, adolescents, teens and young adults. Early diagnosis and treatment is important for the ongoing management of the disease.
Our team of pediatric IBD experts provides comprehensive, compassionate care for your child.
See a list of all our pediatric IBD physiciansOur pediatric IBD physicians are actively involved in basic, clinical and translational research, including clinical studies of new treatments, laboratory studies of the underlying mechanisms of IBD and long-term observational studies.
In the Pediatric IBD Health Maintenance Clinic, our dedicated IBD nurse practitioner offers annual wellness and education visits for children and teens ages 10 and up.
Locations with Pediatric IBD Services
Request an Appointment
You can also make an appointment with our providers by:
– Scheduling a virtual video visit to see a provider from the comfort of your home
– Requesting an online second opinion from our specialists
To speak to someone directly, please call 1-888-824-0200. If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.
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What Parents Need to Know about Kids and IBD
More children are being diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease, and symptoms can start as early as 18 months old. But once treatment brings inflammation under control, kids can lead a normal life: going to school, playing sports and even eating most of their favorite food. Comer gastroenterologist Ranjana Gokhale, MD, shares her expertise.
