Background and study aims: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and usefulness of capsule endoscopy (CE) in pediatric patients with a suspicion of Crohn's disease.
Patients and methods: CE was used in 12 patients (four girls, eight boys; age 12-16; weight range 43-87 kg). The indication was a clinical suspicion of Crohn's disease not confirmed with traditional methods. Gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and small-bowel follow-through examinations were carried out in all of the patients, without any diagnostic findings. Ileoscopy was possible in 50 % of the patients, and the ileal mucosa and biopsies were normal in all cases.
Results: The capsule was easily swallowed by all of the patients. They all excreted the capsule normally, and no complications were observed in any case. CE identified lesions suggestive of Crohn's disease in seven of the 12 (58.3 %), and the majority of the lesions were in the ileum.
Conclusions: CE is safe in pediatric patients over 12 years of age. The procedure appears to be a very useful diagnostic tool in children with Crohn's disease.