Non-specific colitis, including colitis ulcerosa, is a heterogeneous group of chronic diseases of the intestine. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of treatment with azathioprine in children with colitis ulcerosa.Materials: Between 1990 and 2000, ninety-two children with colitis ulcerosa were treated in I Department of Paediatrics and Gastroenterology, PMMH-Research Institute, Lodz, Poland. The diagnosis was established based on history, clinical symptoms and endoscopic examinations as well as histological assessment of large-intestine biopsy specimens. Depending on the gravity of relapse, in addition to treatment with 5-ASA, steroids were administered locally or generally as well as enteral or parenteral nutrition. Azathioprine was administered with a good effect for a period of 2-3 years in a group of 10 steroid-resistant or steroid-dependent children. The youngest child to receive azathioprine was 10 years old when the treatment was started and she received it for 4.5 years. Undesired effects were observed intermittantly during therapy. Nevertheless, attempts to withdraw the drug proved unsuccessful and resulted in relapses. She has now been in remission for 2 years and does not require treatment.
展开▼
