Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Very early onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD) represents a unique and growing subset of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some VEO-IBD patients present with immunodeficiency and possess loss of function genetic mutations involving immune pathways that cause their IBD. A search for Mendelian causes of IBD is likely most beneficial when the presentation involves extra-intestinal autoimmunity or involves intestinal histopathology that is atypical for IBD. While a subset of these young patients will have highly aggressive courses (and likely present with immunodeficiency), the majority of patients with VEO-IBD appear to have disease courses similar to that of their older counterparts.
Source: Seminars in Pediatric Surgery - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Source Type: research