The epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease in children: a pilot project

A major shady about the epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease in children was planned A pilot study of pre‐morbid variables among 42 children with the disease was undertaken Conducting a pilot study was an essential component of the research process, both in refining the data collection instrument and in maximizing the use of technology Results of the pilot study are described and the way in which they were used to prepare a better major study are discussed