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Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The University Hospitals Rainbow Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center is the first of its kind in the region, where children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, can receive the most advanced care possible. Our goal is to reduce active flares and help kids lead happier, healthier lives.


Call to Make an Appointment Today

To schedule an appointment with a UH Rainbow pediatric IBD specialist, call 216-844-1765 and speak with Colleen Fearon, RN.

Schedule Online  Request Second Opinion

Why Choose UH?


What is IBD?

Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is an umbrella term used to describe chronic inflammation of the digestive tract. IBD affects up to 80,000 children and adolescents across the U.S. The two main forms of IBD are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Up to 20 percent of patients with IBD may also experience irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. Like IBD, this condition affects how the muscles contract in the intestines. However, IBD and IBS are not the same disease.

IBD in children is on the rise in the U.S. Some experts attribute this increase to environmental, genetic and dietary factors. The exact cause of IBD is unknown at this time and there is not a cure at this time for IBD.


IBD Symptoms

The most common symptoms of IBD are:

  • Abdominal pain and cramping
  • Diarrhea
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Frequent or urgent bowel movements
  • Delayed growth
  • Weight loss

If your child is experiencing these symptoms, he or she should see a pediatric digestive health specialist as soon as possible.


Treating Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis & Other Forms of IBD

IBD not only causes discomfort and pain, it also can affect your child’s growth and development if left untreated. Catching and treating IBD in children as early as possible leads to the best outcomes. Early diagnosis and treatment help minimize structural damage to the digestive tract so that children can live as normally as possible.

Even though the cause of IBD is still unknown, many effective inflammatory bowel disease treatments are available. These treatments can help your child lead a healthy, active life. The goal of our pediatric GI and IBD specialists is not only to make sure our patients feel better. We also want them to be able to manage their disease for life.

Learn more about IBD diagnosis & treatment


Transitioning Older Children to Adult IBD Care

Making the transition from pediatric to adult care is a big step for adolescents and young adults with IBD. To make this transition as successful as possible, we start teaching patients how to take care of themselves and manage their disease and therapies, with this education starting as early as 11 years old.

Our IBD transition team, in collaboration with the adult GI team at UH, helps patients navigate the process smoothly. This allows patients to seamlessly continue their treatment plans.


Second Opinion IBD Clinic

UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Second Opinion Pediatric IBD Clinic helps families navigate a new diagnosis.

Patient Resources

Discover trusted sources of information that can help patients and families in their IBD journey.

Research & Clinical Trials

Learn about the latest in IBD research and clinical trials being offered through the UH Rainbow IBD Center.

Your child’s health is important. Don’t delay care.

To schedule an appointment with a UH Rainbow pediatric IBD specialist, call 216-844-1765 and speak with Colleen Fearon, RN.