Anaemia and iron deficiency in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Anaemia and iron deficiency are common in children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) however it is not known if the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency alters following diagnosis.

METHODS: Laboratory results from diagnosis, and at follow up one and two years later were recorded retrospectively in children with IBD recruited from a tertiary centre. Anaemia was defined using WHO standards and iron deficiency defined using published guidelines.

RESULTS: 46 children (16 girls) with Crohn's disease and 34 children (18 girls) with UC were studied. 75% of children with IBD were anaemic at diagnosis, 30% were anaemic at follow up two years later. 90% of children with Crohn's and 95% of children with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) were iron deficient at diagnosis. At follow up two years later 70% of children with Crohn's and 65% of children with UC were iron deficient.

CONCLUSIONS: Persistent anaemia and iron deficiency are common in childhood IBD, prevalence alters with duration of time from diagnosis.