Table 1

Definitions of Red Flags in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Red FlagMethod of AscertainmentDefinition of Positive Finding
Alarm symptoms
 Involuntary weight lossHistoryInvoluntary decrease in weight of >1 kg
 Rectal blood lossHistoryRectal blood loss with defecation without constipation according to Rome III criteria
 Family history of IBDHistoryAffected first-degree relative(s)
 Growth failureHistory and physical examinationTarget height range > −1 standard deviation score
 Extraintestinal symptomsPhysical examinationEyes (episcleritis, scleritis, uveitis), skin (erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum, psoriasis), mouth ulcers, finger clubbing, arthritis
 Perianal lesionsPhysical examinationSkin tags, hemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas, abscesses
Blood markers
 HemoglobinLocal laboratoryAge 4–12 y: <7.1 mmol/L; age 12–18 y: boys <8.1 mmol/L, girls <7.4 mmol/L25
 C-reactive proteinLocal laboratory>10 mg/L26
 Erythrocyte sedimentation rateLocal laboratory>20 mm/h26
 Platelet countLocal laboratory>450 × 109/L27

  • IBD = inflammatory bowel disease.