Adherence to the New Zealand Pediatric Guideline for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Background: New Zealand (NZ) guidelines for the approach to diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children were developed in 2014. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the application of the guidelines in a group of children diagnosed with IBD in regards to baseline investigations. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed the application of recommended baseline investigations included in the NZ guidelines in a group of children aged <16 years diagnosed consecutively with IBD at the 2 NZ tertiary pediatric gastroenterology centers. Results: Fifty children were included from each center. Seventy-two were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease (CD), 15 with ulcerative colitis (UC), and 13 were with IBD unclassified. The children with CD had a mean Pediatric Crohn’s Disease Activity Index score of 31 and almost half had ileocolonic involvement (47%). The 15 children with UC had a mean PUCAI score of 42, and 13 had pancolonic involvement. All 100 children underwent upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsies, and 92% had magnetic resonance enterography at diagnosis. Iron studies, folate, and vitamin B12 were measured in >70 children. Serum zinc, magnesium, and phosphate were infrequently measured. Current anthropometry was recorded in all children but historical growth data were variably recorded. Vaccination status was also inconsistently recorded. Conclusion: Most of this group of children diagnosed with IBD in 2 NZ centers underwent key recommended investigations at diagnosis including gastrointestinal endoscopy and small bowel imaging. Other baseline assessments, including measurement of micronutrient levels, were completed variably. Measures to enhance consistent baseline assessments are required.