Paediatric Gut Investigation Clinic provides treatment for ulcerative colitis in children aged 0 months to 16 years at our private clinics in Horley (Spire Gatwick Park Hospital) and Medwyn (Medwyn Centre) in Surrey.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease of the large bowel. The disease starts at the rectum and may extend proximally to other parts of the large bowel. The cause of UC is unknown, although genetic and environmental factors (hygiene, smoking) may play a part.
Children with ulcerative colitis have tendency to have rectal bleeding associated with diarrhoea. Other common symptoms include those listed below, however, each child may experience symptoms differently:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Rectal bleeding
- Loss of body fluids and nutrients
- Anemia caused by severe bleeding
Sometimes children also experience:
- Skin lesions
- Joint pain
- Inflammation of the eyes
- Liver disorders
- Osteoporosis
- Rashes
- Kidney stones
The treatment of UC is aim at reducing the bowel inflammation. 5-amino salicylate (5-ASA) is used to treat for mild disease. Corticosteroids may be needed for moderate to severe disease. Patients who has frequent relapses may need immunosuppressant Azathioprine to induce long term remission. In severe cases that are not responding to medical treatment, bowel surgery may be required to remove the inflamed bowel.
Patients are encouraged to join organisations such as the National Association of Crohn’s and Colitis (NACC) where they can obtain useful information about Ulcerative Colitis.
Our clinics in Horley and Medwyn, Surrey, are perfectly located to see patients from all nearby areas including Chichester, Banstead, Dorking, Epsom, Guildford, Redhill, Southampton, Portsmouth, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Reigate, and Epsom.
If you are concerned that you child is suffering from Ulcerative Colitis, please book an appointment with us today via the form below or, alternatively, please call us on 0129 3365012.