Treating paediatric Crohn’s disease is challenging but new treatments hold promise

Paediatric Crohn’s disease is associated with a high disease burden and greater requirement for immunosuppression compared with adult-onset disease. Although anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy can be effective, many patients experience drug failure. Newer biologic and small molecule drugs that have a narrower immunomodulating target have shown promising efficacy in Crohn’s disease, including some in paediatric patients. This article reviews the efficacy and safety of these drugs, as well as common clinical challenges encountered in treating paediatric patients with this condition.