Promoting early testing and appropriate referral to reduce diagnostic delay for children with suspected inflammatory bowel disease, a narrative review

ABSTRACT:

Background and Objective

When a child with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms presents to a primary care physician or general paediatrician, the clinician is challenged with differentiating between functional or organic disease. When there is a high suspicion of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rapid referral to a paediatric gastroenterologist for assessment and treatment will help protect against the sequelae of a delayed diagnosis for a child. However, this must be balanced against the need for ensuring appropriate referrals and avoiding invasive diagnostic testing for those with non-organic aetiology. The objective of this narrative review was to present evidence on specific presenting symptoms, testing, and risk factors of paediatric IBD that may aid the identification of

SUBMITTER:  

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10416131 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature