Hi! I am Emma and I want to share the story of my IBD diagnosis because I think it could help others who have less common IBD symptoms and locations of inflammation. It all began when I was a senior in high school. I had this pain in my chest and upper abdomen whenever I ate or drank so I decided to go to the doctor.

Obesity is common among patients with pediatric Crohn's disease (PCD). Some adult studies suggest obese patients respond less well to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment. This study compares anti-TNF response and anti-TNF levels between pediatric patients with normal and high body mass index (BMI).

Camp Oasis transformed our daughter and became an "oasis" in her IBD journey. I am honored to share my experiences as a parent and provide tips and takeaways to providers and parents about sending your child or teen to a safe and transformative place.

In a matter of days, Caitlyn went from being a full-time student athlete (following her dream of running at a D1 college) to being a full-time patient (diagnosed with IBD and severe visceral hyperalgesia). She went from balancing a rigorous training schedule and school, to managing doctors appointments, meds and nearly constant pain and fatigue. In the midst of this, she turned 21 and was pushed to find an adult care provider who would take her complicated case. She wanted someone to fight for her, who took time to understand how her illness was affecting her life and mental health, who recognized how hard she was fighting and who would support and advocate for her. In time, she found those people. With new treatments, her health began to turn around and she was able to return to school. However, her collegiate running career had come to an end. "I found myself grieving for my past life. For a body that I no longer had."

Once known affectionately as the "runner girl," who was Caitlyn without running? It turns out she is many things! Read her story to find out.

Be inspired by Caitlyn's #IgniteTalk 🔥

This study aims to characterize pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients who change diagnosis and describe the characteristics of that change.

Hi, my name is Emily and I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in December of 2023. Something interesting about me is that I met my idol, the voice actor of Ahsoka Tano from Star Wars, Ashley Eckstein. I joined the PAC in February 2024.

My name is Maddie and I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease when I was 13 years old. I’ve been a part of the ICN network for almost 8 years, and I transitioned from my role as PAC Co-Chair a year ago. Now I have the opportunity to share my passion project with the ICN community! Introducing: EATS for IBD™

For so many years I remember being this young girl surrounded by so many people but feeling so alone… different than everyone else. I used to never acknowledge that I had a chronic illness unless I had to. When I would get stomach pain, have frequent need for the restroom, or was unable to do what others were doing, that’s when I felt so different…so alone. I was always the one with the (not typical) belly pain, that couldn’t eat anything, or that kept running to the restroom…always feeling singled out.

I sit staring at what feels like a mountain of pills, my pillbox barely shutting. I just wish I could be a normal college kid. Taking daily medications sounds so simple and easy, but it’s often one of my biggest challenges. Trying to keep up with medications and even appointments gets very exhausting, especially since I’ve had to do these things from a very young age. I know nothing more than a life filled with pills and appointments. 

Why was this study done?

Pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis, who take biologic medications (like infliximab and adalimumab) have decreased hospitalizations, surgery rates, and improved quality of life. However, biologic medicines are expensive. Biosimilars are similar biological therapies that are just as safe and effective as the original biologic medication, although they are often less expensive. There are currently two medications (infliximab/Remicade and adalimumab/Humira) used to treat IBD that have biosimilars available. Despite the cost savings, the utilization of biosimilars in the treatment of IBD has been low. The exact reasons why the utilization of biosimilars is low is not well known or well-studied.

The objective of this study was to evaluate pediatric gastroenterologists’ perspectives of biosimilars and to evaluate factors that impact pediatric gastroenterologists’ comfort level with prescribing biosimilars.