Ulcerative colitis is more likely to affect people from the ages 15 to 30 and people over the age of 60, but the condition can still develop at any age, including children. The exact cause for ulcerative colitis in children is unknown but researchers believe that the cause can be from genetics, or from certain germs that causes an inflammatory reaction in the child’s colon.
Ulcerative colitis is more likely to develop in people who have a family member with UC, are between the ages 15 to 30 years old, are older than 60, or are of Jewish descent. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis in children are almost the same as the symptoms in adults. These symptoms include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, rectal bleeding, and weight loss. Children can also experience mental health and emotional changes such as anger, frustration, stress, and mood swings.
There is no cure for UC, but there are treatments that can help. The treatment that doctors recommend are based off of the child’s age, medical history, the extent of the disease, parental preferences, and the child’s tolerance for the treatment.
Read more about children with ulcerative colitis
