monitoring growth and pubertal development in children and young people with ulcerative colitis (UC)

Last reviewed 01/2018

• monitor the height and body weight of children and young people with ulcerative colitis against expected values on centile charts (and/or z scores) at the following intervals according to disease activity:
  • every 3-6 months:
    • if they have an inflammatory exacerbation and are approaching or undergoing puberty or
    • if there is chronic active disease or
    • if they are being treated with systemic corticosteroids every 6 months during pubertal growth if the disease is inactive every 12 months if none of the criteria above are met
      
      
• monitor pubertal development in young people with ulcerative colitis using the principles of Tanner staging, by asking screening questions and/or carrying out a formal examination
  • consider referral to a secondary care paediatrician for pubertal assessment and investigation of the underlying cause if a young person with ulcerative colitis:
    • has slow pubertal progress or
    • has not developed pubertal features appropriate for their age
  • monitoring of growth and pubertal development:
    • can be done in a range of locations (for example, at routine appointments, acute admissions or urgent appointments in primary care, community services or secondary care)
    • should be carried out by appropriately trained healthcare professionals as part of the overall clinical assessment (including disease activity) to help inform the need for timely investigation, referral and/or interventions, particularly during pubertal growth
    • if the young person prefers self-assessment for monitoring pubertal development, this should be facilitated where possible and they should be instructed on how to do this

Reference:

• NICE (June 2013). Ulcerative colitis Management in adults, children and young people