Pediatric-onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease: What Are Different from Adult in the Treatment?

Pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease differs from adults in its epidemiological and clinical characteristics and courses. Since it is diagnosed at a young age, the duration of the disease is relatively longer than in adults. Therefore, it is necessary to select drugs in consideration of long-term risks and benefits, and efforts such as therapeutic drug monitoring to maximize the treatment effects and minimize side effects are required. In addition, special considerations for treating pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease include attention to the effects of the disease on growth and development, nutrition, and psychosocial problems. In children, more aggressive treatment is needed to avoid missing therapeutic window of opportunity during periods of rapid growth and development. Finally, efforts should be made to ensure that the therapeutic goals of mucosal healing are achieved, the quality of life is restored, and the transition to adult therapy is well carried out.