A population-based study of the frequency of corticosteroid resistance and dependence in pediatric patients with Crohnʼs disease and ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Most pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease initially responded to corticosteroids. However, after 1 year, 58% of pediatric patients with Crohn's disease and 43% of pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis either were steroid dependent or required surgery. This finding emphasizes the need for early steroid-sparing medications in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.