IBD
Pronunciation: I-B-D
Also written as: IBD — inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease; chronic inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Full Definition
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the digestive tract, primarily Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. In pediatric patients, IBD can present with growth retardation, delayed puberty, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive tract and involves transmural inflammation, while ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon and involves mucosal inflammation. Pediatric IBD often presents with more extensive disease and may have different characteristics compared to adult-onset IBD. Management involves immunosuppressive medications, nutritional support, and sometimes surgical intervention.
Usage
Usage note: Do not confuse with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), which is a functional disorder without inflammation.
In Context
- "The adolescent's chronic abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea led to a diagnosis of IBD following colonoscopy and biopsy." — Pediatric gastroenterology consultation