Caring for a Child with IBD

How can you help your child cope with inflammatory bowel disease?

Because of the unpredictable nature of the disease, it's easy to feel helpless. Your child will likely be fatigued, irritable and worried, so the best course is to seek treatment as soon as symptoms appear to help relieve as much discomfort as possible. Although it can be difficult to get any child to eat properly, a balanced diet with adequate calories becomes even more important for kids with IBD. Diarrhea, loss of nutrients and the side effects of drug treatment all can lead to malnutrition. Encourage your child to eat small meals throughout the day to help manage symptoms. Pack nutritious snacks and lunches so your child won't be tempted to indulge in salty, high-fat junk food that can intensify IBD symptoms.

Talk with your doctor or a dietitian about other foods that might be a problem. Eventually, your child should learn to determine which foods provoke symptoms and work to avoid them. Inflammatory bowel disease is a serious condition, but with proper treatment and medical care, your child can enjoy a productive, normal life.

Information and Education for Patients

Our pediatric gastroenterology practice offers a comprehensive and sophisticated approach to the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

• Your child’s care experience starts with a review of your records (if provided) and your past and current medical condition. We will spend some time getting to know you, assess your symptoms and perform an examination. We may ask you to complete forms and questionnaires with detailed information to help us understand and assess your individual needs and circumstances. You may be referred for additional testing to help us gain the information we need to develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
• Our patients and their families are the most important part of the team as we tailor an individualized plan using our state-of-the-art approaches for each and every patient.

Meet the Team

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Pediatric Surgery 
• Child Life Specialists

Learn about our Children's Hospital