Crohn's in Children

[Sunny]

Hello everyone,

I posted here a little while ago about my daughter who is 11. She is now at the point of seeing a hospital doctor and I have a few questions I hope some members here may be able to answer before her appointment this week.

For those who started Crohn's as a child or whose child has Crohn's what were the first signs please?

Also, my daughter has high fevers, roughly every month which last 3-4 days. She can get tummy ache with these fevers, but sometimes very mild. She also gets loose stools when she goes to the loo, but doesn't really get diarrhoea.

Do the symptoms ring any bell with any one?

I know symptoms of Crohn's can vary enormously, but I would also like to know if it definitely doesn't sound like your experience of Crohn's!

I think it is unlikely my daughter does have Crohn's, but I'm keeping an open mind at the moment.

Many thanks, Sx

 

[Dexky]

My son started having bloody d which the ped thought was constipation at first. To this day, I can't imagine why!!! After the d persisted for a month 10 + times daily, he was referred to a ped GI. He was dxed after upper and lower scopes. EJ had always had what we thought of as sensitive stomach issues. He would usually have to poop after meals and occasionally would get nauseous, especially when riding in the car. Good luck Sunny!

 

[DMS]

Looking back at my son's disease, he started having some loose stools, no blood, lost some weight, always cold and tired. A month later he was having the odd stomach ache and pain when going to the bathroom (which we now know was an abscess), he also started having to get up 2 or 3 times in the night to go to the bathroom, which is normal when you're 75+ but not so normal at 15, he also had some night sweats and fevers, but nothing consistent.

My son also had no diarrhea and some loose stools, but definitely not all. Blood tests were ordered and showed an elevated CRP and monocytes as well as platelet count. I know bloodwork is not a good indicator for lots of people, but it always has been for my son.

So, yes, unfortunately some of your daughters symptoms ring bells with me.
I would definitely be asking for some bloodwork to be done if your Dr. doesn't suggest it.
All the best to you and your daughter at your appt.

 

[dodie]

Hi sunny, my son didnt show alot of symtoms really apart from a sore bum which was a fistula, i didnt think he had crohns as a few years back i also had anal fistula and i dont have crohns. He did have bloated tummy and the odd sore tummy but that was it. Because i was so worried about the bloating our GP referred us to childrens hospital for test( endoscopy, colonoscopy and camera capsule) and sure enough, came back he did have crohns. My husband has crohns too but is mild too, thank goodness. I hope your little one is well and it doesnt come back that its crohns, all the best. xx

 

[Sunny]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. It has been really helpful to understand the range of symptoms.

DMS - Interesting about the blood tests - I already know that my daughter has raised CRP as she had bloods taken during a fever. The levels surprised her GP a bit, but all her other blood levels were normal. Unfortunately, both the blood profiles and symptoms for Crohn's are very similar to another condition I am querying called FMF.

Just thinking on my feet here, but I am beginning to think that the difference may be the frequency and length of the fevers - dd has had 11 fever episode in the last 8 months, usually 3 to 4 days at a time. She also gets joint symptoms, but ONLY during fevers, and from reading Crohn's forums I am getting the feeling that with Chron's joint pain is not usually associated with fever, it can be happen any time and last for weeks. Is that right?

Many thanks again,
Sunny

 

[DustyKat]

Hi Sunny,

My daughter started with symptoms at about 13. Initially they were about monthly and usually consisted of nausea, vomiting and upper abdominal pain, the effects would last a couple of days. This pattern lasted about 12 months before the attacks escalated in frequency. These episodes were sometimes accompanied by headache and eye pain. She did suffer with knee pain but this was present at varying times.

Throughout her pre-diagnosis period her blood results always returned as normal, except for the night before emergency surgery, as did X-Rays and scans.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Sunny]

Just to say thank you to everyone on this tread for your replies and to let you know that I finally discovered what was wrong with my daughter. She is now under a rheumatologist who identified that she has a 'Periodic Fever Syndrome' and has put her on a medication that completely controls her fevers, the tummy aches, the aching muscles and all the other weird symptoms she was getting. She is now living a normal childhood again

Thank you for your support when I was going though a really tough patch and wishing you and your children all the best living with this challenging condition, Kind regards Sarah

 

[my little penguin]

Hugs
Glad you got to the bottom of it.
A family we know has child who was also diag with crohns first but that has changed to periodic fever syndrome. Glad she is doing so well.