Paediatric gastroenterology 1966–2000

Abstract

Between 1966 and 2000 the pattern of gastroenterological disease in children in developed communities changed. Clinically severe infective gastroenteritis has declined in incidence. Infection of children with the conventional serotypes of Escherichia coli dramatically declined. During this period many new infective agents notably rota virus were recognised. By contrast, more children with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially Crohn's disease, have been diagnosed than ever before. Gastrointestinal allergy is increasingly recognised but the pattern of disease has changed. Technological advance in accurate diagnosis occurred with an emphasis upon tissue diagnosis. Introduction to clinical practice of ileocolonoscopy in the late 1970s immensely increased the ability to make the diagnosis of chronic IBD in children. Therapeutic advance has seen development of parenteral nutrition and enteral feeding as major therapies for children. In the UK there has been a rise and fall in university departments of paediatric gastroenterology.