Inflammatory Bowel Disease Transition Clinic (Pediatric to Adult)
Our team provides advanced treatment and state-of-the-art care services for Kentucky children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We are leaders in clinical research, especially for pediatric IBD patients. Kentucky Children’s Hospital is involved in ImproveCareNow, an international, multi-institution collaborative that focuses on improving the outcomes of patients with IBD.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a disease process characterized by chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Two of the more well-known diagnoses are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC).
Common symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Bloody stools (hematochezia)
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
Multiple factors can contribute to IBD, including:
- Autoimmune function
- Genetics
- Environment
- Microbiome (microbes living in our gut)
Our services and procedures
- Procedures: Endoscopies and colonoscopies
- Imaging services: MRI (MR enterography), CT (CT enterography) and fluoroscopy
- Capsule endoscopy (pill camera)
Through our pediatric-to-adult transition clinic, we offer innovative approaches to help our young patients make the transition to adult care seamlessly when they are ready. We work with each patient to assess their readiness and provide a tailored approach for ongoing management of their care.
Our skilled pediatric specialists and surgeons collaborate with adult GI providers and colorectal surgeons to provide the best care for each patient. With the expertise of other team members, we bring a multidisciplinary approach to supporting every person on their continued healthcare journey.
