G17 THE INCIDENCE OF CROHN’S DISEASE: HAS IT STOPPED RISING?

I. H. Davies, M. Ahmed, H. R. Jenkins. Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK

Introduction: A previous retrospective study on paediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from a defined UK area reported a threefold increase in Crohn’s disease (CD) but no increase in ulcerative colitis (UC) over an 11 year period (1983–93). It is not clear whether the increase in incidence of CD has levelled out.

Aims: To report the incidence of CD/UC between 1996 and 2003 in the area previously studied.

Methods: A prospective study was undertaken over 8 years (1996–2003). All children diagnosed with IBD were recorded and data retrospectively cross-checked with the endoscopy and histopathology units. The incidence of CD/UC was calculated.

Results: The childhood population studied remained constant at 90 000 between 1996 and 2003. There were 39 cases (22 male) with IBD, 26 with CD, 11 with UC, and 2 with indeterminate colitis. The median age at diagnosis was 13 years (range 4–15 years) with the incidence of CD 3.6 cases per 100 000 children per year (3.1 between 1983–93) and UC 1.5 (0.75 between 1983–93).

Conclusions: In our area the incidence of CD has stopped its previous dramatic rise with a remarkably consistent annual incidence over the past 8 years.

G18 THE EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL DEPRIVATION IN LATE GESTATION ON UNCOUPLING PROTEIN-2 MRNA ABUNDANCE IN THE NEONATAL LUNG

M. G. Gnanalingham, J. Dandrea, M. E. Symonds, T. Stephenson. Centre for Reproduction and Early Life, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK

Introduction: Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a member of the inner mitochondrial protein superfamily, whose exact function is not known. Postulated roles include a role in solute exchange, as well as regulating immune function within the neonatal lung. The effect of maternal nutrition during late gestation, coincident with the period of maximal lung growth, on UCP2 abundance in the ovine neonatal lung has not been determined.

Methods: Fourteen …