Increased prevalence of anti-TNF therapy in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease is associated with a decline in surgical resections during childhood

Background: anti-tumour necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF) therapy use has risen in paediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD). Whether this has translated into preventing/delaying childhood surgery is uncertain. The Wessex PIBD cohort were analysed for trends in anti-TNF-therapy and surgery. Design: all patients diagnosed with PIBD within Wessex from 1997-2017 were assessed. Prevalence of anti-TNF-therapy and yearly surgery rates (resection and perianal) during childhood (