Review article: The clinical importance of growth in children with inflammatory bowel disease: is it important to the gastroenterologist?

Background: Growth in children with inflammatory bowel disease is often compromised.

Aim: To explore the origins of growth retardation in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease and to consider management strategies.

Methods: Relevant literature was identified and reviewed.

Results: A combination of the following factors results in growth retardation: insufficient food intake, malabsorption, increased catabolism, disease activity, disease extension, complications of disease and the side-effects of treatment.

Conclusions: Failure of normal growth in a child with inflammatory bowel disease is an indicator of insufficient and unsuccessful therapy. The major causative factor is chronic anorexia because of chronic catabolic illness. Growth resumes to normal after effective control of the disease and nutritional intake. Regular follow-up of growth in these children is mandatory, and the measurement of both height and weight is an ideal indication of effective treatment. Failure of sustained growth in a child or adolescent with inflammatory bowel disease is a warning to consider a change of clinical strategy.