When your child complains of belly pain, it’s easy to chalk it up to nerves, gas, or too much candy. But what if it’s something more?

Did you know? 100,000+ children in the U.S. are living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and pediatric cases are rising fast — up 22% for Crohn’s and 29% for ulcerative colitis since 2009.

That’s why we turned to the experts at Nemours Children’s Health at Lakeland Regional Health to learn more. Their pediatric gastroenterologists specialize in early diagnosis and personalized care for IBD, including Crohn’s disease and colitis (read: conditions that cause chronic inflammation in the intestines and can lead to pain, fatigue, and growth delays).

What to watch for

Parents and caretakers should look out for:

Frequent diarrhea
Unexplained weight loss
Blood in the stool
Mouth sores
Constant fatigue
Poor growth or delayed puberty

These symptoms can be subtle — and easy to overlook.

Why early diagnosis matters

The earlier IBD is detected, the better the long-term outcomes. Diagnosis may involve bloodwork, imaging, and a colonoscopy or endoscopy. With the right treatment plan, kids with IBD can grow, thrive, and do what they love.

Food as medicine

Nutrition is a key part of managing IBD. Nemours Children's Health specialists often recommend:

Enteral nutrition (liquid supplements)
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)
The Crohn’s Disease Exclusion Diet (CDED)

Gut-friendly choices include: fruit, vegetables, rice, eggs, and lean meats.

Foods that might stir up trouble

Every child’s IBD triggers are different, but these common culprits may worsen symptoms:

Wheat
Dairy
Animal fat
Additives
Processed foods
Red meat

Pro tip: Keeping a food journal can help identify patterns and avoid flare-ups.

If you’re concerned, talk to your child’s pediatrician and visit Nemours Children’s Health to learn more about their Lakeland location.

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Asked

Which of these gut-friendly foods is always in your kitchen?

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