Enteroscopy in paediatric Crohn's disease

Small bowel evaluation is crucial in children with suspected inflammatory bowel disease to differentiate Crohn's disease from other enteropathies, in making therapeutic decisions and planning the follow-up. Endoscopic investigation of small bowel has historically been difficult due to the length and tortuosity of the organ itself. New technology, introduced over the past decade, allows minimally invasive and detailed endoscopic evaluation of the entire small bowel mucosa.While understudied in the paediatric population, literature is emerging supporting the use of these techniques in children.In this review we will provide an overview on the currently available technology, on its feasibility in paediatric age and on the available literature concerning the use of enteroscopy in paediatric Crohn's disease.