Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Led by Wallace Crandall, MD, Nationwide Children's Hospital Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD Center) focuses on comprehensive care for children with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis using a multidisciplinary approach. We have a team of expert physicians, surgeons, psychologists, researchers, dietitians, nurse practitioners, nurses and social workers who provide diagnostic services, clinical management, patient and family education, nutritional guidance and counseling. Our goal is to improve the medical, surgical, psychological and social care of all children with inflammatory bowel disease regionally through direct patient care, and nationally through continued research. 

Each year, hundreds of children and adolescents come to Nationwide Children's Hospital for diagnosis and treatment of their inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, Nationwide Children’s is one of the leaders of ImproveCareNow, a national, multi-institution collaborative focusing on improving outcomes in IBD patients. 

The diagnostic capabilities at the IBD Center are some of the most advanced in the world and include:

• the use of flexible scopes, called endoscopes and colonoscopes

• state-of-the-art imaging services including fluoroscopy, CT scans, and MRI scans

• interventional radiology services

• the new, non-invasive capsule endoscopy or “pillcam”

We recognize that, like any chronic illness, inflammatory bowel disease can affect children and adolescents every day of their lives as well as impacting their family. We treat the whole family, using an approach that addresses psychological and social concerns in tandem with the most advanced medical treatment. One-on-one teaching to newly diagnosed patients and their families is provided by a nurse. Psychology services including assessment of psychosocial concerns, pain management (including biofeedback), and psychotherapy addressing coping with the disease and other issues is also available.

We provide the most current medical therapy. We use a variety of therapies, tailored to the needs of the individual, including 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) or Azathioprine (Imuran®) and in selected cases Remicade. For the few who require surgical intervention, we have a dedicated team of surgeons who employ the latest techniques including the use of laparoscopic surgery when appropriate. Nutritional evaluation and counseling is provided by a dietitian.

Research is critical in continuing to improve the care of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease. Current research activities include clinical drug trials and studies examining the psychosocial effects of chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease. The center also participates in two national IBD research data bases which are being used in the ongoing effort to improve the treatment and quality of life for all those with IBD.

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