Severe adverse reactions to Infliximab therapy are common in young children with inflammatory bowel disease

Since 2000 we have introduced 141 Infliximab infusions to 23 children with severe inflammatory bowel disease. A total of seven severe adverse reactions occurred in 26% (6 of 23) of the children. Four reactions were acute (anaphylaxis n = 2; allergic reaction n = 2) and 3/4 of these children were younger than 10 years of age. Two children developed an abscess and one child had septicaemia and brain lesions related to progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy. Conclusion: adverse reactions to Infliximab infusions are common. Young children seem to be prone to severe allergic reactions although they are on azathioprine and conventional glucocorticoid therapy.