Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease) has peak incidence in the 15–25 years age group. The incidence of paediatric inflammatory bowel disease is increasing, both in Aotearoa and worldwide. There is no cure for inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment aims to induce remission through controlling intestinal inflammation and then to maintain remission to promote nutrition and growth and prevent disease complications. Children and young people with IBD may need hospitalisation for colonoscopy and endoscopy under general anaesthesia (to confirm the diagnosis and to assess response to therapy), for treatment of disease flares, and for surgery.