JAMA Netw Open

Early growth patterns may signal IBD risk in children

January 22, 2025

Altered growth trajectories may serve as early indicators of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children. Recognizing these patterns could facilitate earlier diagnosis and intervention, potentially improving long-term outcomes.

Study details: This population-based cohort study analyzed anthropometric data from Danish children to investigate growth patterns prior to the development of IBD. Researchers included 916,133 children with weight and length or height measurements at birth and ≥1 length or height and weight measurement at school age.

Results: The 1,522 children who developed IBD showed distinct growth patterns compared with controls. Children later diagnosed with Crohn disease (CD) had declining weight (mean, -0.12 g; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.20 to -0.03) and BMI (mean, -0.13; 95% CI, -0.21 to -0.04) three years before diagnosis, with further declines in height one year prior (mean, -0.20 cm; 95% CI, -0.29 to -0.10). For ulcerative colitis, declines in weight and BMI were observed one year before diagnosis. These altered growth patterns persisted after diagnosis, with the slowest recovery seen in children with CD.

Source:

Brusco De Freitas M, et al. (2025, January 2). JAMA Netw Open. Anthropometric Trajectories in Children Prior to Development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39821394/