Ulcerative colitis in Nigerian children: A report of two cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a relapsing, idiopathic chronic inflammatory disorder of colon characterised by ulcerations of the colon with bleeding, mucosal crypt abscesses and inflammatory pseudo polyps associated with abdominal pain with tenesmus and significant weight loss. Ulcerative colitis has rarely been reported in sub-Saharan African children. In this report we present 2 cases of ulcerative colitis i in Nigerian children confirmed by barium enema, colonoscopy and histology. A review of the current literature on ulcerative colitis is also discussed.