Renal involvement in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease unclassified, is a chronic inflammatory disorder that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and has a rising incidence in both children and adults. Symptoms are caused by inappropriate inflammatory response triggered by interaction between the environment, gut microbiome and host immune system in a genetically susceptible individual. Extranintestinal manifestations of IBD are common and can affect any body system outside the gut; they can precede or run parallel to GI inflammation. Renal involvement in IBD is uncommon and can be part of extraintestinal manifestation or metabolic complications of IBD. Many medications used to treat IBD can cause renal damage. Renal manifestation in children with IBD can range from asymptomatic biochemical abnormalities to variable stages of renal impairment with significant morbidity and even mortality burden.