A new study has found a rise in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among American youth, with nearly 100,430 children now diagnosed—marking a 22 percent increase in Crohn’s disease and a 29 percent spike in ulcerative colitis since 2009.
Prevalence Varies by Race and Geography
The study, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and published in Gastroenterology, represents what the authors call the most comprehensive assessment of pediatric IBD prevalence in the United States to date.IBD refers to chronic conditions that cause inflammation in the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease primarily affects the small and large intestines, although patches of inflammation can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, while ulcerative colitis mainly affects the colon and rectum.
The findings estimate that more than 100,000 American youth younger than the age of 20 are currently living with IBD.
Researchers analyzed data from commercial insurance claims and Medicaid datasets across five of the most populous states, providing a nationally representative picture of physician-diagnosed pediatric IBD.
The study identified a continuous rise in pediatric IBD prevalence in the United States, which is now among the highest in the world.
Their findings indicate an approximate 22 percent increase in cases of Crohn’s disease and a 29 percent increase in cases of ulcerative colitis among the pediatric population between 2009 and 2020.
Importance of Data for Understanding IBD in Youth
The study provides crucial data to inform health care policy, resource allocation, and future research priorities in pediatric IBD, according to Dr. Michael D. Kappelman, a professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and co-author of the study.While the study provides valuable insights, further research is necessary to understand the reasons behind the observed demographic and geographic variations in pediatric IBD prevalence and the reasons for the overall increase.
The pooled data analyzed represent almost the entire U.S. population with commercial and Medicaid health insurance. However, the researchers acknowledged that the study did not capture data on uninsured Americans, a demographic typically overrepresented by people of color and noncitizens.
“As the uninsured rate among children (5.1%) is half that of nonelderly adults (11.3%), the impact of this omission on our overall prevalence estimate is likely to be small,” the authors noted.
- Western-style diet high in ultra-processed foods, sugar, food coloring, and chemical additives
- Exposure to antibiotics from a young age
- Environmental pollutants such as microplastics
- Early exposure to severe stress
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