In pediatric Crohn disease, which complication is most likely?

In pediatric Crohn disease, which complication is most likely?

• A. Cancer of the colon and possible colectomy
• B. Intestinal obstruction with scarring and strictures
• C. Intestinal perforation and hemorrhage
• D. Liver disease and sepsis

Answer: (B)

In children with Crohn disease, the inflammation often affects the full thickness of the bowel wall. As it heals, scar tissue forms and narrows the lumen, especially in the terminal ileum. This scarring leads to tightness or strictures that block the passage of contents, causing an intestinal obstruction. That pattern—obstruction from inflammatory strictures—is the most common complication you’ll see in pediatric Crohn disease. Other problems like perforation, bleeding, liver disease with sepsis, or an increased cancer risk can occur, but they are less typical or occur less frequently in children early in the disease course. Perforation and bleeding can happen, but obstructive strictures are the hallmark early complication in kids.

In children with Crohn disease, the inflammation often affects the full thickness of the bowel wall. As it heals, scar tissue forms and narrows the lumen, especially in the terminal ileum. This scarring leads to tightness or strictures that block the passage of contents, causing an intestinal obstruction. That pattern—obstruction from inflammatory strictures—is the most common complication you’ll see in pediatric Crohn disease.

Other problems like perforation, bleeding, liver disease with sepsis, or an increased cancer risk can occur, but they are less typical or occur less frequently in children early in the disease course. Perforation and bleeding can happen, but obstructive strictures are the hallmark early complication in kids.