OBJECTIVETo observe the relationship between vitamin D status and seasons, disease activity, disease location, growth and steroid treatment in children with Crohn's disease (CD). To search for the risk factors of vitamin D deficiency in CD children. To discuss the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis and treatments of CD.

METHODSixty CD children (63.3% male) and 121 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled. Data including growth, clinical characteristics, time for vitamin D blood test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C reactive protein, serum 25(OH)D concentration and steroid treatments were collected. The relationship between vitamin D status and disease activity, disease location, growth and steroid treatments in children with CD were analized.

RESULTThe serum concentration of 25(OH)D was 57.2(22.3-246.0) nmol/L, which was significantly lower than that of controls (67.3 (57.3-78.4) nmol/L) (Z=-5.009, P=0.000). Hypovitaminosis D was most prevalent during the winter and spring (November to April, 46.8(31.8-83.4) nmol/L) rather than summer and autumn (May to October, 63.3(22.3-246.0) nmol/L, Z=-1.994, P=0.046). Univariate logistic regression demonstrated that factors increasing the risk of vitamin D deficiency in Crohn's disease were: age over 10 years (OR=4.571, 95% CI: 1.452-14.389), small intestine involved diseases (OR=5.211, 95% CI: 1.278-21.237), high C reactive protein levels (≥8 mg/L) (OR=4.500, 95% CI: 1.094-18.503) and steroid therapy (OR=4.297, 95% CI: 1.413-13.068). Among those risk factors, all but age were determined to be risks of vitamin D deficiency by further multivariate logistic regression. There was no significant correlation between vitamin D deficiency and gender, disease duration, stricture, penetration, perianal disease (fistula, ulcer or abscess), white blood cell counts, hemoglobin, platelet counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum albumin levels, pediatric Crohn's disease activity index and nutrition therapy (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONHypovitaminosis D was prevalent in children with CD. Serum concentration of vitamin D was associated with season. Steroid treatment, small intestine involved disease and high C reactive protein (more than 8 mg/L) are risk factors of vitamin D deficiency in CD children.

C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Crohn Disease ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Vitamin D ; blood ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; complications ; Vitamins ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of infliximab versus corticosteroids in achieving clinical remission in pediatric patients with Crohn's disease in China.

METHODData of all newly diagnosed active Crohn's disease pediatric cases seen from June 2009 to December 2013 in Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively recorded and reviewed.

INCLUSION CRITERIAthe age of the children was less than 18 years; pediatric Crohn's disease activity index (PCDAI) was more than 10; infliximab or corticosteroids were used for inducing remission; infliximab, immunosuppressive medications or mesalamine was prescribed for maintaining remission. Patients in steroids group were followed up for more than 1 year. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups: infliximab group and steroids group. Clinical data, laboratory findings and side effects of the medications were collected at week 2, 4, 12, 24 and 48. PCDAI and Crohn's disease endoscopic index score (CDEIS) were calculated. Clinical response rate, clinical remission rate, relapse rate, mucosal healing and growth were evaluated.

RESULTEleven children received infliximab therapy and 11 subjects received corticosteroids. In Infliximab group, 6, 5 and 7 patients were in clinical remission at week 2, 4, and 8, while so were 6, 9, and 9 patients in steroids group. The difference was not statistically significant (χ² = 0.00, 3.14, 0.92, P > 0.05). In infliximab group, 8, 8, and 11 patients were in clinical remission at week 2, 4, and 8, so were 8, 9, and 9 patients in steroids group. The difference was not statistically significant (χ² = 0.00,0.26, 2.20, P > 0.05). When compared with data at baseline, significant decreases were observed in the median PCDAI between the two groups at week 2, 4, and 8 (all P < 0.05). But there were no significant differences between two groups at week 2, 4, and 8 (all P > 0.05). At week 12, 24 and 48, 8/11, 7/8, 3/5 cases on infliximab versus 7/11, 9/11, 8/11 cases on steroids maintained remission. There was no significant differences between the two groups (all P > 0.05). In 7 patients and 9 patients remission was successfully induced at week 8. The relapse rate was similar at week 12, 24, and 48 (χ² = 0.83, 0.09, 1.00, all P > 0.05). Height for age Z score in infliximab group was significantly higher than that in steroids group at week 24 (P < 0.05). Body mass index Z score between the two groups at week 8, 24, and 48 were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). Of the children treated with infliximab, 3 developed side effects. All the children treated with steroids got Cushing's syndrome.

CONCLUSIONIn children with Crohn's disease, infliximab therapy is as effective as corticosteroids to induce remission.Less side effects were observed with infliximab therapy compared with immunosuppressive medication and mesalamine.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Child ; China ; Crohn Disease ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Infliximab ; Remission Induction ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome