Purpose
This study aimed to identify clinical characteristics of South Korean pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in a children's hospital over the past 5 years, with a specific focus on comparing the features observed between Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Additionally, it aimed to examine the nursing diagnoses given to patients.
Methods
This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of Korean pediatric patients under 18 years of age who were diagnosed with IBD and hospitalized at a children's hospital in Seoul, South Korea, from January 2017 to December 2021.
Results
The number of pediatric patients diagnosed with IBD steadily increased. This finding was particularly prominent for CD patients, the majority of whom were male. Pediatric patients with CD had significantly higher rates of abdominal pain and perianal lesions, while pediatric patients with UC had a higher rate of bloody stool. Laboratory findings indicated that CD patients had higher levels of inflammatory markers and lower albumin levels than UC patients. The nursing diagnoses given during hospitalization mostly related to safety and protection, physical comfort, and gastrointestinal function.
Conclusion
This study provides insights into Korean pediatric IBD patients, enabling early detection and the development of nursing intervention strategies. From a comprehensive perspective, nursing care should not only address patients' physical needs but also their psychosocial needs.

Purpose
This study aimed to examine body image, self-esteem, and quality of life (QOL) in children and adolescents with Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and to analyze factors influencing QOL.
Methods
This descriptive study involved 87 participants at a tertiary hospital aged 10 to 18 years who were diagnosed with IBD. Body image, self-esteem, and QOL were measured. Descriptive analysis, the independent t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, and stepwise multiple regression were used for data analysis.
Results
The average score was 16.95±3.55 for body image, 31.32±5.25 for self-esteem, and 78.64±15.98 for QOL. Height, weight, hospitalization experience, current symptoms, and consumption of oral steroids showed statistically significant effects on QOL. The most significant predictors of QOL were self-esteem (β=.31, p=.002), body image (β=.28, p=.005), number of symptoms (β=-.25, p=.004), and number of hospitalizations in the last year (β=-.24, p=.004).
Conclusion
To improve the QOL of children and adolescents with IBD, it is necessary to evaluate self-esteem, body image, and physical problems. In addition, various intervention strategies to improve self-esteem and body image and to reduce physical discomfort should be developed.

Citations

• Self-perception and adjustment to Crohn's disease in emerging and young adults: The clinical and psychosocial associated factors
  Nathalie Touma, Carolina Baeza-Velasco
  Pratiques Psychologiques.2025; 31(1): 41.     CrossRef
• Repercussões das Doenças Inflamatórias Intestinais no Desenvolvimento Socioemocional de Pacientes Pediátricos
  Cleicione Rosa de Oliveira, Patrícia Alvarenga, Catiele Paixão
  Revista Psicologia e Saúde.2023; : 93.     CrossRef
• Association between Childhood Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Psychiatric Comorbidities in Adulthood
  Andreea Sălcudean, Andreea Georgiana Nan, Cristina Raluca Bodo, Marius Cătălin Cosma, Elena Gabriela Strete, Maria Melania Lica
  Diagnostics.2023; 13(11): 1868.     CrossRef
• Quality of Life Among Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
  Abdulaziz A Alahmari, Sarah H AlShawaf, Huda A Meshikhes, Bedour A Aleid, Raghad M Aldossari, Marwa M Shafey, Ahmed A Aladsani, Abdulazeem A Al-ibraheem, Nawal M AlRubia, Saleh A AlQahtani
  International Journal of General Medicine.2022; Volume 15: 8775.     CrossRef