Current treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in children

Children with inflammatory bowel disease present formidable therapeutic challenges. As both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis remain medically incurable conditions associated with potentially significant morbidity, the focus of treatment must be to reduce or eliminate symptoms, optimize nutritional status, promote normal growth and development, prevent complications and minimize the potential psychological effects of these chronic illnesses. This review focuses on the evidence supporting the treatments currently used in children with inflammatory bowel disease, and suggests potential treatment algorithms for particular clinical circumstances.