Evaluation of Growth in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate changes in growth parameters in children diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: The data of children with IBD between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and BMI [body mass index]), and clinical and laboratory data were evaluated at diagnosis and follow-up (1st and 2nd year). Patients' growth was assessed by calculating weight-for-age, height-for-age, BMI-for-age, and growth velocity z-scores. Results: Thirty-six patients (46.2%) had Crohn's disease (CD), and 42 (53.8%) had ulcerative colitis (UC). Weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age z-scores significantly increased over the follow-up period in the CD patients (p < 0.05). Growth velocity z-scores were also significantly higher in the second year compared to the first year in the CD patients (p < 0.001). Improvements in weight-for-age, height-for-age, and BMI-for-age z-scores were not significant over the two-year follow-up in the UC patients (p > 0.05). Growth velocity z-scores in the UC patients were higher in the second year compared to the first year, but this difference was not significant (p = 0.115). Conclusions: The growth parameters showed improvement after a two-year follow-up. Regular anthropometric measurements, along with clinical and laboratory markers, should be used to monitor treatment response, which can help achieve optimal growth in children with IBD.