Comparative Analysis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Presentation and Severity in Pediatric vs. Adult Patients

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses chronic conditions that cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, most notably Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both diseases present with variable clinical features, with significant differences observed between pediatric and adult populations. Objective: To examine the clinical presentation, severity, and disease progression of IBD in children compared to adults. Methods: A retrospective observational analysis included patients diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis at a tertiary gastroenterology center over a 6-month period. Patients were allocated into pediatric patients (diagnosed at <15years) and adults (diagnosed at >15years). The collected data included demographical data, including age, sex, and body mass index. Clinical data including symptom duration, presenting symptoms, disease severity, and extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs). Results: A total of 100 patients (50 children and 50 adults) with confirmed diagnoses of IBD were included. While there was no significant difference in gender distribution between the child IBD and adult IBD cohorts (p=0.272), the BMI was significantly higher in adults (p=0.028). The clinical presentations were comparable between groups, except for higher duration of symptoms and weight loss in adults (p=0.012, 0.048, respectively). No statistically significant difference was observed in the frequency of EIMs, disease severity, and disease distribution between groups, except for a higher trend for pancolitis in child IBD (p=0.036). Conclusions: Pediatric patients with IBD may present with a more aggressive disease course and require tailored treatment strategies. Understanding these age-related differences is critical for optimizing early diagnosis, management, and long-term care of IBD patients.