Crohn’s Disease is a termed used for IBD or inflammatory bowel disease which is sometimes called as enteritis or ileitis. It is a chronic kind of inflammatory disease which affects the gastrointestinal system, which starts anywhere in the person’s mouth towards the anus. The primary organ involved is the small bowels, particularly the small intestine occurring in the ileum. It is commonly reported in countries that are developing such as Europe and North America and it is genetic in nature. The person with Crohn’s disease will most likely manifest pain and diarrhea. It primarily leads to ulcer and inflammation of the topmost lining of the person’s large intestine. It can happen to anybody, male or female, young or old and it can also occur in infants.
Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease
Infants who have Crohn’s disease have an abnormal movement of the bowel, abdominal cramping and pain. The infant also have slow growth, weight loss, malnutrition and may appear easily fatigue or tired than normal. Aside from that the infant with Crohn’s disease may be present with bleeding which when further continue, may lead to anemic problems.
Etiological Reason of Crohn’s Disease in Infant
The reason why Crohn’s disease happens because of gene predisposition, immune system problems, presence of microbes, and factors that is associated or link with environmental causes.
1. Genes
Studies show that the Crohn’s disease runs in the family. The infant with this disease condition, are present with CARD15 gene, which is the primary cause of this disorder.
2. Environmental causes
Environmental factors or causes such as consumption of milk protein, polyunsaturated acids that are rich in fat composition, and animal protein are also known to increase the occurrence of the disorder.
3. Presence of Microbes
There has been a link of microbes appearing on infants with Crohn’s disease. Microbes are present when the infant has been fighting with a pathogenic kind of bacteria. The bacteria present in an infant will take advantage of the mucosal layer which led to its weakening.
4. Immune system problem
Infants with problems with the immune system, particularly those who have an autoimmune disorder affecting the primary T cell which lead to the reduction of the immune system’s ability to fight off the bacteria which leads to the opportunistic bacteria to invade your body system such as the gastrointestinal system.
Treatment of the Crohn’s Disease of Infants
Depending on the severity and the location of the infant’s Crohn’s disease, the primary goal of the treatment is to correct the deficiency of the nutritional aspect of the infant, relieving the symptoms associated with this disorder, and last but not the least is to control the inflammatory response. The treatment with this disorder involves:
- Drug therapy
- Supplemental therapy
- Surgical therapy
The treatment may either be one of the ones that were mentioned or a combination to be able to come up with the best solution and to be able to proceed to the recuperation process.
