Presenting phenotype of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease in Wessex, Southern England 2010-2013

AimThere has been at least a twofold increase in the incidence of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) over the last 20years; we report the presenting features from 2010 to 2013 and compare with previous data. MethodsAll patients diagnosed with PIBD at University Hospitals Southampton from 2010 to 2013 were identified from an in-house database. Data were obtained from paper and electronic notes. Height, weight and BMI SDS are presented as median values (95% CI). ResultsOne hundred and seventy-two patients were included (median age at diagnosis 13.5, 115 male); Crohn's disease (CD) - 107, UC - 50, inflammatory bowel disease unclassified (IBDU) - 15. The most common presenting features of CD were abdominal pain (86%), diarrhoea (78.5%) and weight loss (56.1%); 42.1% of patients had all three. In UC blood in stool (92%), diarrhoea (92%) and abdominal pain (88%) were the most common; all three in 76% of patients. CD presented with ileocolonic disease in 52.5%. UC presented with pancolitis in 64%. There was growth delay in CD: height -0.37 (-0.60 to -0.14); weight -1.09 (-1.35 to -0.83). Growth was maintained in UC: height 0.53 (0.19 to 0.87); weight 0.14 (-0.20 to 0.48). ConclusionPaediatric inflammatory bowel disease phenotype remains as extensive despite increasing incidence. Although the classical phenotype is common, a reasonable proportion present with atypical features, normal growth and normal blood markers.