Genetics in IBD

Genetic Studies in Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Site Principal Investigator:
Anthony Otley, MD, MSc, FRCPC
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics
IWK Health Centre and Dalhousie University

Lead Investigator:
Dr. Aleixo Muise, MD
Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON

Sponsor: The Hospital for Sick Children

Inclusion/exclusion criteria:

• Individuals who were diagnosed with an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) at six years old or younger.
• Biological parent(s) of a study participant

Purpose: To identify the genes that are associated with the risk of developing IBD in very young children.

Like hair colour, there is the chance that certain diseases, like IBD, can be passed on through genes. Researchers hope that identify the genes associated with the risk of developing IBD will lead to a better understanding of why IBD develops in very young children.

This is an observational study, approximately 100 children and adolescents and their parents will be invited to take part in this study. We expect that about 10 different sites from all across Canada will be involved. At the IWK Health Centre we will enroll about 20 patients and their parents.