Inhibition of inflammatory cytokines

• Vol 10 • November 2008 816 Inflammatory bowel disease in childhood is often diagnosed at a vulnerable time of growth and development. Malnutrition secondary to reduced appetite, increased metabolism and decreased absorptive capacity increase the risk of complications in children and adolescents diagnosed with IBD. Current treatment options include 5-aminosalicylic acid, antibiotics, corticosteroids, nutritional therapy, as well as immunomodulators to induce and maintain remission. Apart from the disease complications, the adverse affects of drugs, especially corticosteroids, are significant. Although the etiology of IBD has not yet been clarified there has been remarkable progress in the understanding of this field in the past decade [1], which led to the development of novel therapies that specifically alter molecules involved in the inflammatory cascade. The aim of these therapies is to achieve better control of the disease and decrease the various complications of therapy currently used. The use of novel therapies for IBD in children lags after adults. In this review we provide an overview of these agents, their efficacy, safety and their current use in children with the hope that knowledge of the available medications in adults will advance their use in children.