Infliximab as First-Line Therapy in Severe Pediatric Crohn Disease

This document reported on the case of a 12-year-old girl with severe Crohn colitis who was treated with infliximab (IFX) and azathioprine as a first-line therapy, rather than the conventional step-up approach. The treatment led to significant clinical and endoscopic improvement, with the patient achieving clinical remission and mucosal healing. The study highlighted the potential benefits of using IFX early in the disease course, suggesting it may be more effective than waiting for conventional therapies to fail. However, concerns about long-term safety and the risk of dependency on IFX were noted. The document called for further research, particularly robust pediatric studies, to determine the optimal treatment strategy for pediatric Crohn's disease.