INNOVATIVE CLINICAL TREATMENT STRATEGIES FOR PEDIATRIC INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Abstract

Introduction: Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, which includes conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, represents a significant challenge due to its chronic nature and devastating impact on children’s quality of life. Recent studies have focused on innovative treatment strategies that seek not only to control symptoms but also to alter the course of the disease through more personalized and technologically advanced interventions. Such approaches, such as biological therapies, precision medicine, and the use of artificial intelligence, aim to improve clinical outcomes and reduce complications associated with IBD. Given the complexity of the condition and the need for more effective treatments, the field has evolved to integrate new technologies that promise to transform the way the disease is managed in the pediatric population. Objective: The aim of this systematic literature review was to investigate innovative clinical treatment strategies for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease, with an emphasis on interventions that offer more personalized and potentially curative approaches, analyzing the efficacy, safety, and applicability of these new therapies. Methodology: The methodology was based on the PRISMA checklist, using the PubMed, Scielo, and Web of Science databases, with descriptors such as "inflammatory bowel disease", "pediatric treatment", "biological therapies", "precision medicine", and "emerging technologies". Articles published in the last 10 years that discussed innovative therapeutic interventions in pediatric patients were included. Inclusion criteria involved studies that presented data on clinical efficacy, safety, and practical application of new therapies. Exclusion criteria included articles that did not present specific results for the pediatric population, narrative reviews without clear methodology, and isolated case studies. Results: The results revealed that biological therapies, precision medicine, and the use of artificial intelligence showed promise in improving clinical outcomes for pediatric patients with IBD. Cell therapies and gene-editing approaches were also highlighted as areas of great potential, although still in the experimental stage. Conclusion: The review concluded that innovative treatment strategies offer significant advances in the management of pediatric IBD, providing more effective and personalized approaches. These developments, based on scientific evidence, indicate a promising future for improving the quality of life of pediatric patients with IBD, establishing new therapeutic guidelines that will integrate these emerging technologies.