The incidence of the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in children is increasing around the world, 25% to 30% of which occurs under age 20, mostly in adolescents. The clinical aspects are varied and they can be both intestinal and extraintestinal, most of the symptoms in children being atypical or unspecified . Compromise of the individual's growth, as well as a delay in puberty, are some of the aspects differentiating pedriatic IBD from that in adults, and thus they should alert the physician when they occur. Although laboratory data are significant, IBD diagnosis is made based on the combination of the directed search of symptoms and signs , mucous aspect through endoscopy or radiology, and the histological findings in biopsies. Finally, prompt IBD diagnosis will contribute to avoiding or at least diminishing direct effect of IBD on the individual's growth, potential risk of long-term complications such as malignization, surgery, and hepatobiliary disease, and side effects of medication.

Key words : Inflammatory bowel disease, Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, Diagnosis, Pediatrics.