Crohn’s disease causes chronic inflammation in the digestive tract and sometimes other areas, such as the skin or genitals.
The most common symptoms in children include:
- painful stomach cramping
- frequent diarrhea, which may be watery
- bloody diarrhea
- anal or rectal pain
- a loss of appetite
Other health issues that can occur with Crohn’s disease include:
Growth delays
Crohn’s may affect a child’s appetite and make it more difficult to absorb nutrients. As a result, the child’s growth may slow or stop.
Perianal disease
About 30% of teens and children with Crohn’s develop symptoms involving their anus, including pain, tears, or blockages.
Perianal disease can make it difficult to have a bowel movement. Also, tears and other injuries around the anus can lead to infections.
Oral symptoms
About 40% of children with Crohn’s develop oral symptoms, which means that the disease affects their mouth, including their gums.
A person may notice sores in the child’s mouth or swelling of their gums. The child may complain of mouth or tongue pain or have frequent dental problems.
Eye pain
Crohn’s-related inflammation can affect the eyes, causing swelling, itching, and burning in and around the eyes.
Skin symptoms
Some children develop a rash called erythema nodosum. This causes flushed skin and blisters or welts to form. These may develop in a cluster in a single spot, often the shins, or they may appear throughout the body.
Joint pain
Some children with Crohn’s develop joint inflammation that can cause chronic pain or difficulty moving.
Anemia
A child with Crohn’s disease has bleeding in their gut, which can cause anemia. Some symptoms of anemia include:
- fatigue
- pale skin
- lightheadedness
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