At diagnosis, most children with CD have vitamin D deficiency. The degree of micronutrient deficiencies does not correlate with the degree of villous atrophy or serum titers of anti-TtG IgA antibodies.

Aim This study examined the impact of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) on clinical decision‐making for children receiving infliximab for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods The medical records of children with IBD who had infliximab trough levels (ITLs) measured between January 2013 and December 2015 at two Canadian tertiary‐care centres were examined. The indications for TDM, clinical and laboratory disease activity indices and TDM‐driven treatment changes to infliximab therapy were documented. Results We included 107 consecutive serum measurements of ITLs in 73 children (40 boys), with a median age of 16.1 years, including 52 with Crohn's disease. TDM was performed due to concerns about clinical disease activity in 24/107 (22.4%) measurements and 83 (77.6%) were ordered as routine tests. Of these, 38 (35.5%) ITLs were suboptimal (<3.5 μg/mL) and 36 (34.0%) resulted in more frequent doses of infliximab, with subsequent improvements in disease biomarkers. Interval changes were implemented as a result of 34 (32.0%) ITLs, with shorter intervals in 19 (17.0%) cases, and seven (6.5%) ITLs resulted in adding or increasing doses of immunomodulators. In addition, four children were switched to adalimumab. Conclusion Therapeutic drug monitoring was helpful in guiding the decision‐making process for children with IBD on infliximab.

BackgroundThe use of fecal calprotectin (FCal) as a marker of intestinal inflammation, in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of FCal measurements on decision-making and clinical care of children with IBD.Materials and methodsIn a retrospective cohort study, FCal, clinical activity indices, and blood markers were measured in children with established diagnoses of IBD. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was performed to examine association between FCal and other markers. Decisions based on FCal measurements were prospectively documented and participants were evaluated 3–6 months later.ResultsA total of 115 fecal samples were collected from 77 children with IBD [median age 14, interquartile range (IQR) 11–15.6 years, 42 females, 37 with Crohn’s disease]. FCal positively correlated with clinical activity indices (r = 0.481, P < 0.05) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.40, P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with hemoglobin (r = −0.40, P < 0.05). Sixty four out of 74 (86%) positive FCal measurements (≥250 μg/g of stools) resulted in treatment escalation with subsequent significant clinical improvement while in the FCal negative group, 34 out of 41 (83%) measurements resulted in no change in treatment and were associated with remission on follow-up.ConclusionBased on high FCal, the majority of children had treatment escalation that resulted in clinical improvement. FCal measurements were useful and reliable in decision-making and clinical care of children with IBD.

CMV presence is uncommon in colonic mucosa of children with IBD. Studies examining the underlying sero-prevalence of CMV and its role of reactivation of colitis are required to determine if the current recommendation for routine sigmoidoscopy to exclude CMV infection in corticosteroid-refractory acute severe colitis is justified.