Siblings?

[lad473]

For those of you with more than one child, is there a way to "test" other siblings for Crohn's? If so, did you have your other children tested?

My son was diagnosed 5/2012 and is currently on Remicade and appears to be improving. My daughter has been complaining of abdominal pain, fatigue and diarrhea for a few days. Brought her into pediatrician today. The nurse said it could just be a mild stomach bug, but she doesn't blame me for being sensitive after what we went through with our son. She asked if the GI was concerned about family members and Crohn's. I said no, but now I might be a little concerned. I'm to bring her back in Monday if she does not improve. They want to do bloodwork if she is still feeling bad. Sent me home with a prescription for numbing cream, so blood draw wouldn't be bad. I like that they are being so pro-active, but are they being overly sensitive, or is this a significant risk?

 

[dannysmom]

Here is a similar thread:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=36854

There is an increased risk to it is good your dr is doing some blood work. Good luck!

 

[DustyKat]

Hey lad,

You could have genetic testing done to assess the risk. I never did my son, I can't explain why but I honestly thought that Sarah would it...hmmm, I guess that is what is called denial AKA sunny dreamworld!

I think it is too early to say if this illness is significant, having said that I don't think they are being overly sensitive either. As much as I dreaded the thought that my son may also have this disease when I asked that they do inflammatory markers after one week of very, very mild symptoms the thought of not doing anything was worse. I must say though that I was driven by fear, the fear of what my daughter and we as parent's experienced.

Good luck! I hope all returns as normal...fingers, toes and everything else crossed!

Dusty. xxx

 

[Dearie]

I get concerned about my younger two at times also. I guess it's good that we are trying to be proactive...Hope things turn out well for you!

 

[Canadianmomto4]

The G.I. dept at Vancouver Children's Hospital are doing a research study now to determine how crohns can run in siblings/families. We are participating in the project and hope it helps to solve the crohns puzzle. Check out their web site for more info. I have 3 other kids and I too worry that they will also develop this terrible disease. Stay strong mom

 

[crohnsinct]

I also have two non Crohnies in that study.

Our Pediatrician is happy to send out a fecal sample anytime we want if only to set our mind at ease. She says the overall health of her patients is her concern and a worried mother can not mother 100% so if it helps set my mind at ease it is a quick, painless, simple test. Thankfully we haven't had to take her up on it yet.

 

[shrsy]

One of my four children has Chrohn's (diagnosed at 3 1/2 yrs old; he's now 10), and we suspect that our now 3-yr-old may have issues, too... but, until there are symptoms (bowel problems or growth slowing, inflammation, etc), I think it's time wasted worrying - I'm of the opinion that any of our children could have any type of illness in the future, so as long as we do our best to keep them healthy and growing in the present, we'll try not to worry too much about what lies ahead. If there were a definitive test for IBD (maybe there is and I don't know?), I would have all my kids tested, but some people can have no symptoms for years and years, so I don't know how that would change our children's diet/lives right now, anyways... hope that helps!

 

[shrsy]

ps -- that being said, of course every time one of my healthy kids gets a stomach bug or an unexplained fever, I start wondering.... it's so easy to get paranoid!

 

[Clash]

None so far that I saw in my son's family have it, he was diagnosed this year. I do worry about my older daughter because honestly she used to spend an inordinate amount of time in the bathroom, I have since learned from her due to my inquisitions after C was diagnosed that she stayed in there to keep her little brother from pestering her or to get out of chores...Gotta love the way a kid can scheme. If she started having trouble I would get her checked out, untreated crohns can lead to scarring and damage that medicine alone would be unable to repair.
My husband, C and daughter's stepdad so no relation has a niece who has CD, she is in her mid 20's and has been through numerous surgeries and all the meds to no avail, she recently had most of her colon removed. She hasn't been in remission since dx but when her younger sister had what she thought was a stomach bug her mom had her bloods done and turns out she has CD too, hers is being contolled with Humira right now. The doc scoffed at the Mom for wanting bloods ran but agreed and her inflammation levels were pretty high he sent her immediately to the GI and they had the colonoscopy and diagnosis within a week or two.