Early Infliximab Yields Superior Long-Term Effects on Linear Growth in Pediatric Crohn's Disease Patients.
- Author:
Jaeyoung CHOI
1
;
Ben KANG
;
Min Ji KIM
;
Insuk SOHN
;
Hae Jeong LEE
;
Yon Ho CHOE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Infliximab; Growth; Height; Tanner stage
- MeSH: Azathioprine; Biological Products; Crohn Disease*; Diagnosis; Humans; Immunosuppression; Infliximab*; Retrospective Studies
- From:Gut and Liver 2018;12(3):255-262
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: Information regarding the efficacy of early infliximab treatment in pediatric patients with Crohn's disease (CD) is limited. We aimed to evaluate the impact of early combined immunosuppression on linear growth in pediatric patients with CD by performing step-up comparisons. METHODS: This retrospective study included pediatric patients with moderate-to-severe CD, who received a combination therapy with infliximab and azathioprine for at least 3 years and sustained corticosteroid-free remission without loss of response. The z-scores of the growth indicators obtained at the time of diagnosis and annually for 3 years thereafter were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The early combined immunosuppression group displayed significantly increased linear growth 3 years after diagnosis (p=0.026). A significant difference was also observed in the linear growth 3 years after diagnosis between subgroups of Tanner stages 1–2 (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The early introduction of biologics should be considered to improve linear growth in pediatric patients with CD.
