Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that's focused in the large intestine, or colon. The inner lining of the intestine becomes red, irritated and swollen, and open ulcers develop that often bleed. It can affect the whole large intestine, but it's often focused in the rectum. Although it usually starts between ages 15 and 30, children can get it too, and the signs are hard to miss. However, they're similar to the symptoms for other medical conditions, so only a doctor can make a diagnosis.
Abnormal Bowel Movements
If your child has colitis, the first sign you might notice is mild to severe diarrhea or mucus and blood in stools. Diarrhea is caused by an inflamed colon. Then, when the cells on the lining of the intestine die and fall away, colitis' characteristic ulcers--which bleed and ooze mucus--begin to form. On the other hand, some kids get constipated instead because of an inflamed rectum; while others may feel the urgent need to have a bowel movement even though it turns out they can't go. Doctors don't know the exact cause of ulcerative colitis but theorize it's an immune system reaction, according to the Seattle Children's Hospital and Research Foundation, which has consistently been ranked a top pediatric hospital by U.S. News & World Report. The theory is that white blood cells try to fight what the body sees as a threat, which may be as innocent as normal intestinal bacteria. This causes inflammation, and instead of then ending its defense as would normally happen, the immune system increases damage by keeping up the fight.
Digestive and Development Issues
Predictably, an inflamed colon can bring on bloating and abdominal pain that can feel like an ache, or a sharp cramp. Kids who have colitis also often become dehydrated and lose their appetite, which can lead to weight loss and stunted growth due to poor nutrition. Older children might experience delayed puberty. Unfortunately, some medications commonly used to treat colitis can cause these development issues.
Other Symptoms
Children with colitis can suffer extreme blood loss, which leads to anemia or a low red blood cell count. This, along with poor digestion, can make a child very fatigued or feverish. "But inflammatory bowel disease can cause other health problems that occur outside the digestive system," says KidsHealth.org, a division of the nonprofit Nemours Foundation. In colitis, these less-common and seemingly unrelated symptoms include joint pain, skin lesions, inflamed eyes, rashes, kidney stones and liver disorders.
