Protein Metabolism in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inclusion Criteria

• •Male and female children between the ages of six and eighteen years of age
• •Suspected inflammatory bowel disease or chronic abdominal pain not suspected of having inflammatory bowel disease
• •Screening laboratory tests that meet the following criteria (obtained within 4 weeks of enrollment):
• •1. Hemoglobin \>8.0 g/dL
• •2. White blood cell count \>3.5 x 109/L
• •3. Neutrophils \>1.5 x 109/L
• •4. Platelets \>100 x 109/L
• •5. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels within 3 times the upper limit of normal.
• •Parent or guardian signing witnessed, informed consent
• •Child (if \> age 7) signing assent