IBD Highlights
The family pediatrician caring for children with IBD: what to know for a proper management
Roberto Grosso
1Pediatra di Libera Scelta, Bari
About 25% of cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) begins before 18 years of age. It is important that the family pediatrician can perform an early diagnosis in order to send the patient to a II level center for instrumental diagnostic confirmation. Initial assessment includes first level analysis such as inflammatory and nutritional status, liver enzymes,stool tests (occult blood, calprotectin). Family pediatrician also plays a very important role in follow-up of these children undergoing therapy and vaccination planning.