Korean researchers lead Asia's largest study on pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Korean researchers are conducting Asia’s largest study on pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and are developing personalized treatments through the Childhood & Adolescent Registry of Korean Inflammatory Bowel Disease (CARE-KIDS) cohort.

Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) said Wednesday that Professor Shim Jung-ok of the Department of Pediatrics at SNUH is leading the CARE-KIDS cohort study in collaboration with physicians from more than 20 major university hospitals across the country. The project aims to track treatment outcomes in pediatric IBD and develop personalized therapeutic approaches.

The CARE-KIDS cohort is a research initiative that closely analyzes treatment outcomes in children with IBD and tracks disease progression over time. Led by Professor Shim, the study is supported by the Late Lee Kun-hee Pediatric Cancer and Rare Disease Overcoming Project. Participating institutions include SNUH, Korea University Guro Hospital, Severance Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, and Asan Medical Center, among others.

Since 2022, the study has expanded to focus on precision medicine by developing biomarkers. With 1,041 patients enrolled and 5,937 vials of biospecimens collected, it now represents the largest cohort of its kind in Asia.

Cases of pediatric Crohn’s disease and pediatric ulcerative colitis are rising both globally and in Korea. Approximately 10-15 percent of all IBD patients are diagnosed before the age of 18. Notably, the annual incidence of pediatric Crohn’s disease in Korea has more than doubled in the past decade. Pediatric ulcerative colitis is also increasing in incidence, with a decreasing age of onset.

Professor Shim found that the incidence of fistulizing Crohn’s disease in Korea is two to three times higher than in Western countries and that the administration of biologics significantly improves treatment outcomes. She also identified distinct diagnostic features of pediatric ulcerative colitis. By comparing the gut microbiota of Korean pediatric patients before and after treatment with data from abroad, her team has suggested the potential for developing universal biomarkers.

Beginning this year, the CARE-KIDS cohort follow-up study will collect clinical data, blood, tissue, and stool samples from patients at more than 20 participating hospitals. These will be managed and tracked through an Electronic Case Report Form (e-CRF) system and a human biospecimen bank. The study aims to establish guidelines for personalized treatment and advance biomarker and precision medicine research.

“We hope that the CARE-KIDS cohort will evolve into a long-term study, given the rare and intractable nature of the disease, and that it will be incorporated into the KCDC’s chronic disease management program,” said Professor Shim. “Through this collaborative research platform, we aim to ensure equal access to high-quality care at hospitals nationwide.”