title: Evaluation of the infliximab therapy of severe form of pediatric Crohn's disease in Poland: Retrospective, multicenter studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Registration of infliximab in Poland has increased chances to induce clinical remission and mucosal healing in the severe form of pediatric Crohn's disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the results and safety of infliximab therapy in the severe form of pediatric Crohn's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 153 children with severe form of non-fistulizing Crohn's disease treated with infliximab. The clinical activity of Crohn's disease was assessed according to PCDAI scale, endoscopic scoring was graded according to SES-CD, body mass was measured with body mass index (BMI). Infliximab was administered at the dose 5 mg/kg body mass in the 0.2 and 6th week, and then, after clinical response, every 8 for the period of 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred thirty-six children (88.89%) achieved clinical response after induction therapy and 75.21% of children after the maintenance therapy. 39.68% of children achieved remission as graded with endoscopic scoring SES-CD. There was a statistically significant increase in body weight following the treatment. Side effects such as anaphylaxis, rash, and the activation of EBV infection appeared in 9 children at the time of infliximab injection. In other children the drug was well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Induction and maintenance therapy with infliximab resulted in clinical remission of Crohn's disease in 75.21% of children, and in the intestinal mucosa healing in 39.68% of children.
authors.affiliation: Department and Clinic of Paediatrics, Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Barbara M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Iwańczak
authors.affiliation: Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Józef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ryżko
authors.affiliation: Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jankowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sładek
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wasilewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Metabolic Disorders, Poznan University of Medical Science, Poland.
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szczepanik
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Edyta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sienkiewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Allergology and Gastroenterology, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University of Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Szaflarska-Popławska
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Silesia, Gastroenterology Unit, Upper Silesian Child Health Care Center, Katowice, Poland.
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Więcek
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Nursery Unit of Pomeranian Medical University, Division of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Reumatology of Zdroje Hospital, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Grażyna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Czaja-Bulsa
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, State Hospital, Medical College, Rzeszów, Poland.
authors.forename: Bartosz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Korczowski
authors.affiliation: Province Children's Hospital, Kielce, Poland.
authors.forename: Jolanta
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maślana
authors.affiliation: Department and Clinic of Paediatrics, Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Franciszek
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iwańczak
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Nursery Unit of Pomeranian Medical University, Division of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Reumatology of Zdroje Hospital, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kacperska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000069285:Infliximab / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011044:Poland; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D000069285:Infliximab
keywords: Crohn’s disease; children; infliximab