Recognizing the Child with Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis

Both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are characterized by alternating periods of "flare-up" and remission. Some or all of the following characteristics may be present in varying degrees of severity:

• Pain.
• Episodes of fever or night sweats.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Lack of ability to concentrate.
• Nausea.
• Headaches.
• Lack of appetite.
• Problems affecting the skin, liver, eyes or joints.
• Bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramping.
• May grow at a slower rate. May appear younger and smaller than their classmates.

• Due to the use of cortisone-like drugs to control inflammation, the student may:
  • gain excessive weight,
  • develop a round face or puffy appearance,
  • have severe acne or become moody or restless, and/or
  • experience emotional stress and anxiety because of fear of
  • sudden symptoms.