What are the symptoms of Crohn’s disease in children and teenagers?
The symptoms of Crohn’s disease may be subtler than those of ulcerative colitis or may be dramatic. Abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss are the most common symptoms occurring in 65-75% of patients. Poor growth is also common and a very important sign of pediatric Crohn’s disease. A child who is usually amongst the tallest in their class who becomes amongst the smallest, especially around the time of puberty may have Crohn’s disease. The average time between the first symptoms of Crohn’s disease and the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease may be up to a year in some studies, due to the subtle first symptoms of Crohns disease. Fatigue or being tired due to anemia is common as is blood in the bowel movements, although less common than in ulcerative colitis. Up to 25% of patients will have disease around their bottom or anus; this may go unrecognized in a teenager who is uncomfortable discussing bowel issues with their parents or doctors. This includes extra folds of skin, which may become i
