OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of infliximab in the treatment of Crohn's disease in children.

METHODSThirteen children who were diagnosed with Crohn's disease and received routine comprehensive treatment and infliximab (5 mg/kg) between January 2011 and December 2014 were enrolled. The changes in their clinical manifestations, laboratory indices, and Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) after the 30-week treatment were analyzed retrospectively. Meanwhile, endoscopy was performed to evaluate therapeutic effects.

RESULTSThe symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stool were relieved soon after infliximab treatment, with no recurrence observed; after the 30-week treatment, the white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, and the PCDAI decreased, while the hemoglobin increased significantly compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). After infliximab treatment, two children underwent endoscopy. The endoscopy showed that one child was cured, and the other child failed to respond to the treatment. No adverse drug reactions were seen in all patients.

CONCLUSIONSInfliximab treatment has significant clinical effects in children with Crohn's disease, with no obvious adverse reactions, and therefore, it can be applied as one of the preferred alternatives for treatment of Crohn's disease in children.