title: Pediatric gastrointestinal diseases: are drugs the answer?
abstract: Owing to the lack of large randomized controlled studies, which would produce level 1 evidence, to guide management of gastrointestinal disorders in children, data are often extrapolated from adult studies to aid in treatment strategies. However, there are unique aspects to the management of children and adolescents with these chronic diseases, including issues of growth, side effects, long-term outcomes and psychosocial factors that might not be considered in adult trials. There is a major need for increased research in this population. In the future, a better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of these diseases should guide the development of rational novel therapies with better safety profiles for children with gastrointestinal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. nicola.jones@sickkids.ca
authors.forename: Nicola L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Eytan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wine
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D044623:Nutrition Therapy; D010597:Pharmacogenetics
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007155:Immunologic Factors