Your Child Has Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It affects your child’s large intestine (colon) and rectum (where stool is stored before leaving the body). Ulcerative colitis causes swelling, bleeding, and sometimes sores in this part of the digestive tract. No one knows what causes ulcerative colitis, but your child’s symptoms can be managed.

What Are the Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?

Common symptoms of ulcerative colitis include:

• Diarrhea

• Blood and pus in the stool, or rectal bleeding

• Feeling of incomplete bowel movement with diarrhea

• Urgency (sudden feeling that a bowel movement must happen right away) with diarrhea

• Abdominal pain and cramping

• Fatigue (tiredness)

• Weight loss

• Poor appetite

• Fever

• Joint problems

• Ulcers (sores) in the colon 

How Is Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosed?

Ulcerative colitis affects the inside layers of the rectum and colon.

The doctor will start by examining your child and asking some questions. There are tests that the doctor may want to perform, such as:

• Blood and stool tests.

• CT scan or ultrasound: tests that take detailed pictures from outside your child’s body.

• Lower GI series: a type of x-ray test that takes pictures of your child’s colon and rectum.

• Colonoscopy and sometimes endoscopy: tests during which a flexible tube with a camera is used to view the inside of your child’s digestive tract. This lets the doctor perform a biopsy (take a tiny tissue sample).

How Is Ulcerative Colitis Treated?

There are ways to help your child feel better and manage symptoms. These include:

• Medications that control swelling and bleeding.

• Surgery to remove the affected intestine. This can cure the condition. The doctor will talk to you about this if it is an option for your child.

Following Up with the Doctor

Once symptoms are under control (or “quiet”), the doctor will want to see your child 2–3 times a year for follow-up. Tests may be done, including: 

• Bone scans (painless tests that check the health of your child’s bones)

• Eye exams

• Blood tests 

Handling Flare-Ups

Your child can be active and lead a normal life with ulcerative colitis.

Flare-ups (times when your child feels symptoms) may still happen. These tips can help you and your child deal with flare-ups:

• Allow more time for your child to get ready in the morning. During a flare-up, your child may need longer bathroom time. Stress and pressure can make symptoms worse. Make sure your child has plenty of time and doesn’t feel rushed.

• Talk to your child’s teachers and school officials about your child’s ulcerative colitis. Talk with your child’s teachers about flare-ups. Ask them to let your child use the bathroom as needed. This can help prevent accidents. Also, children with ulcerative colitis may miss school more often during flare-ups. Work with your child’s teachers to help your child keep up with schoolwork.

• Let your child be active. Having ulcerative colitis doesn’t mean your child can’t play sports or be active. During flare-ups, your child might not feel well enough to be active. Let your child decide how much activity feels okay during flare-ups. Encourage your child to be active when symptoms are quiet.   

• Encourage good nutrition. A healthy diet provides good nutrition for growth. Talk to your child about making healthy food choices when away from home.

• Make sure your child takes all of his or her medications. This can help reduce the number of flare-ups.

• Look into ulcerative colitis support groups and resources. If your child is feeling alone or different from peers, a support group can offer tips on helping your child lead a normal, active life.