title: Epidemiology, genes and inflammatory bowel diseases in childhood.
abstract: There is evidence that inflammatory bowel disease is immunologically mediated and that genetic factors play an important aetiological role. The identification of disease susceptibility genes has led to significant progress in our understanding of the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease. Genes linked to Crohn's disease play critical roles in the normal function of the innate immune system, and genes linked to epithelial integrity may play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease as well. However, the dynamic epidemiology of both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis suggests that extrinsic environmental factors acting at the population level may be involved in their pathogenesis. These environmental factors may be responsible for the rising incidence of inflammatory bowel disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, University Hospital La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: de Mesquita
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Civitelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levine
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D014943:Global Health; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D009154:Mutation; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein / Q000235:genetics; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C114461:DLG5 protein, human; D006680:HLA Antigens; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C429018:NOD2 protein, human; D053473:Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D004247:DNA