NASPGHAN Pediatric Position Paper for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

LM Felipez et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2025;81:1100–1117. Open Access! North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition position paper on the therapeutic drug monitoring in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease

Therapeutic Drug Targets Based on Condition, Medication and Time of Therapy:

Discussion Points:

  • Pediatric Dosing is Different: “Pediatric studies have also determined adult infliximab targets are insufficient…In a prospective pediatric study, Clarkston et al. found that a trough level of 29 μg/mL at 2 weeks is required to achieve both clinical and biologic response. Patients with lower trough levels had 13-fold greater odds of clinical nonresponse. Additionally, a trough of 18 μg/mL at 6 weeks was associated with improved response. Patients with lower trough levels had sixfold greater odds of clinical nonresponse. They also observed that patients who did not achieve a trough >5–7 μg/mL by 14 weeks of therapy had a 21-fold increase in the odds of clinical nonresponse.62
  • Undetectable/very low anti-TNF levels: “If the serum level is extremely low or undetectable, then full re-induction is warranted in addition to dose escalation.”
  • Timing of TDM: “As a practice point, TDM is routinely recommended at the end of induction for most patients. We recommend obtaining TDM earlier during induction in at-risk populations, including younger age children, those with hypoalbuminemia, and those with increased inflammatory burden.”
  • Maintenance proactive TDM: “Based on prospective randomized trial evidence, we recommend proactive TDM during maintenance every 6–12 months…yearly proactive TDM was associated with 55% reduced risk of developing antidrug antibodies.26
  • Increased Antidrug Antibodies with Lower Infliximab Dosing: “In the pivotal REFINE study on immunogenicity in pediatric IBD, Coleman et al. found that antibodies to infliximab were detected in 68% of patients in the cohort, and starting dose under 7.5 mg/kg was one of the strongest predictors of developing antidrug antibodies.4
  • Higher Doses Prevent Antidrug Antibodies: “The best available evidence for preventing immunogenicity supports initiating therapy with infliximab doses greater than 8 mg/kg, and in the case of hypoalbuminemia, doses greater than 10 mg/kg. For children <40 kg, doses of 200 mg/m2 are more appropriate.”
  • Perianal fistulas: “Overall, there is less evidence to support adalimumab use over infliximab for treatment of perianal fistulas. It is possible that adalimumab may have lower efficacy for perianal fistula.105 However, it is unclear if this is inherent to adalimumab, or if it relates to less frequent TDM or less frequent dose escalation in practice.”
  • Vedolizumab: “In general, as with other biologic therapies, a higher serum vedolizumab concentration is associated with higher likelihood of treatment response…Multiple studies identified that in patients with IBD (either UC or CD) early trough levels at Week 2132 with a cut off of >23.2 μg/mL or Week 6133134 with a cut off of above 22–28 μg/mL or at Week 14135) above 16.55 μg/mL predicted a higher likelihood of sustained response over the first year. In regard to clinical remission one study identified that corticosteroid free, clinical and biochemical remission was correlated to higher trough vedolizumab concentration.136
  • Vedolizumab in younger patients: “Children under 30 kg require vedolizumab doses of 200 mg/m2 or 10 mg/kg.”

My take: “This NASPGHAN position paper should also serve to document that high-dose therapy, especially guided by TDM, is evidence-based standard of care.” This article clearly establishes three key points:

  1. “Intensive anti-TNF⍺ dosing strategies are not experimental. The initial doses of infliximab and adalimumab approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) routinely lead to under-treatment, poor outcomes, and treatment discontinuation.60117 There is a rich, corroborated, and verified evidence-base to support the safety and efficacy of high-dose therapy anti-TNF⍺ therapy when clinically indicated, especially as supported by TDM.506265100101103118
  2. Therapeutic drug monitoring is essential in the pediatric population to optimize drug levels, allow many patients to do well with monotherapy, and to help avoid development of antidrug antibodies.
  3. The best available evidence supports TDM during induction of vedolizumab as well.

Related blog posts:

Disclaimer: This blog, gutsandgrowth, assumes no responsibility for any use or operation of any method, product, instruction, concept or idea contained in the material herein or for any injury or damage to persons or property (whether products liability, negligence or otherwise) resulting from such use or operation. These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, the gutsandgrowth blog cautions that independent verification should be made of diagnosis and drug dosages. The reader is solely responsible for the conduct of any suggested test or procedure.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.

IBD Management in Pregnancy: Global Consensus

U Mahadevan et al. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2025 (published ahead of print). Open Access! Global Consensus Statement on the Management of Pregnancy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Addendum -updated reference: U Mahadevan et al. Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology 2025; 23: S1-S60. Open Access! Global Consensus Statement on the Management of Pregnancy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

This is a 60 page open access article. Table 1 lists 34 “GRADE” statements and Table 2 lists 35 consensus statements. This article is also jointly published in the following:

  • Gut
  • Am J Gastroenterol
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
  • Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis
  • Aliment Pharmacol Ther

For Moms:

For Babies:

My take: This is a useful reference –mainly helpful for gastroenterologists rather than pediatric providers.

Related blog posts:

Comparing Infliximab, Adalimumab, and Vedolizumab in Adults and Children with Ulcerative Colitis

O Atia et al. Infammatory Bowel Diseases, 2025, 31, 617–624. Durability of the First Biologic in Children and Adults With Ulcerative Colitis: A Nationwide Study from the epi-IIRN

This was a nationwide Israeli study with 15,111 patients with UC, of whom 2322 (15%) received biologics, with a median follow-up of 7.0 years. The dataset includes ~98% of the Israeli population; “the accuracy of medication data is high, as the Israeli health care system provides medications almost free of charge through the HMOs, and the electronic dispensing of drugs contributes to reliable and precise data.”

Key findings:

  • After 5 years of treatment, 43% of the patients with UC sustained their first biologic
  • The durability rate was similar between pediatric-onset and adults after 1 and 5 years from initiation of treatment (72% and 43% vs 71% and 43%, respectively)
  • Durability of adalimumab vs infliximab after 1 or 5 years was similar, whether prescribed as monotherapy (65%/46% vs 63%/33%, respectively) or combotherapy (78%/56% vs 91%/58%, respectively)
  • Durability of infliximab at 1 yr and 5 yrs was higher as combotherapy (85%/50%) vs monotherapy (69%/42%; , P = .007), while it was similar for adalimumab (80%/52% vs 74%/52%)
  • The durability rate was similar for vedolizumab monotherapy at 1 yr and 5 yrs (77%/56%) compared with adalimumab monotherapy (69%/52%), and infliximab monotherapy (73%/55% vs 62%/44%). However, combotherapy of antitumor necrosis factors (TNFs) had longer durability than vedolizumab (85%/50% vs 75%/43%), respectively;

My take: When looking at the durability plots, the three main biologics in this study, infliximab, adalimumab and vedolizumab, performed similarly. Whether therapeutic drug monitoring would influence theses results is not clear. It is interesting that a recent study in the pediatric population found that combination therapy was important for adalimumab and not infliximab (see: Why Do Children Taking Adalimumab Benefit from Methotrexate Dual Therapy?)

Related blog posts:

Also, from AGA Today (3/20/25): FDA Approves Guselkumab To Treat Patients With Crohn’s Disease

HCPlive (3/20, Campbell) reports the FDA on Thursday announced the approval of “guselkumab (Tremfya) for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active Crohn disease.” The announcement from Johnson and Johnson claims the “approval is based on data from multiple phase 3 trials, including the GALAXI trials, which found guselkumab outperformed ustekinumab (Stelara) for multiple endoscopic endpoints. The agent now boasts indications for moderately to severely active Crohn disease and moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC).” This is the fourth indication for guselkumab in the US

Related blog posts:

Disclaimer: This blog, gutsandgrowth, assumes no responsibility for any use or operation of any method, product, instruction, concept or idea contained in the material herein or for any injury or damage to persons or property (whether products liability, negligence or otherwise) resulting from such use or operation. These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, the gutsandgrowth blog cautions that independent verification should be made of diagnosis and drug dosages. The reader is solely responsible for the conduct of any suggested test or procedure.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.

Impact of Adalimumab Levels on Fistula Healing in Crohn’s Disease

K Papamichael et al.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 22: 2134-2136.
Higher Adalimumab Concentration Is Associated With Complete Fistula Healing in Patients With Perianal Fistulizing Crohn’s Disease

In this multicenter retrospective review with 183 patients, the adalimumab (ADM) levels were examined with respect to healing of perianal fistulas. Most patients (82%) had complex perianal fistulizing CD.

Key findings:

  • 87 patients (48%) received intensified dosing at the time of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM)
  • Patients with complete fistula healing (CFH) had higher median ADM levels: 12.9 compared to 6.1 for those witout CFH
  • “Optimal ADM concentration associated with CFH was 12.2 mcg/mL” which had positive predictive value of 64% and negative predictive value of 80%. Among those with ADM >12.1, CFH was achieved in 64% compared to 20.5% in those with concentrations <12.1 (Odds ratio, 5.7). “Even higher drug levels may be needed.”
There were 46 patients in each drug level category

My take: There is a lot of data supporting TDM, including proactive TDM, with anti-TNF agents like adalimumab and infliximab. This study shows that with fistulizing disease higher drug levels are needed to achieve better outcomes.

Related blog posts:

Should Vedolizumab Be Used as a First Line Agent for Crohn’s Disease?

B Bokemeyer et al. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2024; 30: 746-756.

Methods: 3277 adult biologically-unexposed CD patients starting therapy with VEDO or anti-TNF were consecutively enrolled in 45 IBD centers across Germany (2017-202). This was a non-randomized, observational study with prospectively collected data.

Findings:

  • Anti-TNF agents had higher induction clinical remission rates compared to vedolizumab: 73.9% 56.3% vs, P < .05
  • Vedolizumab (VEDO) had higher long-term clinical remission rates: clinical remission after 2 years was significantly better for VEDO compared with anti-TNF, 74.2% vs 44.7%; P < .05. This was associated with a much better treatment persistent rate. The switch rate for VEDO was 17% compared with 44% for anti-TNF agents.
  • Among week 14 responders, VEDO 2-year clinical remission rates were 88.6% compared to 45.8% (P < .00001) for anti-TNF agents

The discussion describes the strengths and limitations of this study. As it is not a randomized control trial, there can still be selection bias and confounding even with propensity scoring that was done in this study. The authors note that in a prior analysis of RCTs comparing infliximab to vedolizumab in CD patients, that infliximab had higher efficacy for induction and maintenance, though the clinical remission rates were only modestly improved at 1 year. (L Peyrin-Biroulet et al. BMC Gastroenterol 2022; 22: 291).

Recent expert guidance (2024) has favored infliximab and risankizumab over other advance therapies in CD patients who have not had previous biologic therapies (see: Comparative Evidence and Positioning Advance Therapies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease).

My take: This study shows that vedolizumab is a good advanced therapy for patients with Crohn’s disease without prior therapy. Among those with a clinical response at 14 weeks, the treatment durability was particularly impressive in this cohort.

It would be great to see an RCT in children with CD comparing IFX to VEDO. Treatment persistence is even more important in younger patients.

Related blog posts:

IBD Updates: Reducing Postoperative Crohn’s Disease, How Effective is IFX after Adalimumab, UST vs VDZ in Pediatric UC

C Hernandez-Rocha et al. J Crohns Colitis 2024: 18: 615–627. Clinical Predictors of Early and Late Endoscopic Recurrence Following Ileocolonic Resection in Crohn’s Disease

Prospective Study n=365 adult patients with post-operative Crohn’s disease. Findings: At first colonoscopy, 109 [29.9%] had recurrence. Male gender (odds ratio [OR] = 1.95), non-White ethnicity [OR = 2.48], and postoperative smoking [OR = 2.78] were associated with recurrence, while prophylactic anti-TNF reduced the risk [OR = 0.28]. Postoperative anti-TNF prophylaxis had a protective effect on anti-TNF experienced patients but not on anti-TNF naïve patients. Among patients without recurrence at first colonoscopy, Rutgeerts score i1 was associated with subsequent recurrence [OR = 4.43]

A Lecoutour et al JPGN 2024; 78:1116–1125. Efficacy of infliximab after loss of response of/intolerance to adalimumab in pediatric Crohn’s disease: A retrospective multicenter cohort study of the “GETAID pédiatrique”

Key findings: In this retrospective study, 27 of 32 patients (84.4%) were still on IFX at 12 months of the switch. Among them, 13 had discontinued ADA because of a LOR, 12 for insufficient response and 2 due to primary nonresponse. At 1 year, 22 patients were in corticosteroid free clinical remission (68.7%).

PV Patel et al. JPGN 2024; 78:1126–1134. Real‐world effectiveness of ustekinumab and vedolizumab in TNF‐exposed pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis

Using the ICN registry, this observational study had 262 anti-TNF refractory patients receiving VDZ and 74 patients receiving UST. Key finding: At 6 months, 28.3% of patients on VDZ and 25.8% of those on UST achieved CFCR (p= 0.76)

Orchid, Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Comparative Evidence and Positioning Advance Therapies for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

PS Dulai et al. Gastroenterol 2024; 166: 396-408. Open Access! Integrating Evidence to Guide Use of Biologics and Small Molecules for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

“In this review, we provide a framework for clinicians and researchers to understand key differences in sources of evidence, how different methodologies are applied to study the comparative effectiveness of advanced medical therapies in IBD, and considerations for how these sources of evidence can be used to better integrate current guideline recommendations.”

This article explains the use of randomized controlled trials, “real-world evidence”/observational comparative studies, network meta-analysis, and post-hoc comparisons from randomized studies.

“The authors advocate for “”Given the rapidity with which new advanced medical therapies are becoming available in IBD, which quickly make current guidelines obsolete, living guidelines may offer a unique consideration to ensure applicability to routine care.”

My take: This article provides a useful update of current advanced therapies and information in positioning these advanced therapies. It would be a great service if the IBD community could create something similar to HCVguidelines.org. The latter was a coordinated effort by the AASLD and IDSA to help provide expert advice during a deluge of amazing advances in HCV. And just like HCVguidelines, it is important to address “special” populations including pediatric patients and patients with very early onset IBD.

Related blog posts:

Disclaimer: This blog, gutsandgrowth, assumes no responsibility for any use or operation of any method, product, instruction, concept or idea contained in the material herein or for any injury or damage to persons or property (whether products liability, negligence or otherwise) resulting from such use or operation. These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, the gutsandgrowth blog cautions that independent verification should be made of diagnosis and drug dosages. The reader is solely responsible for the conduct of any suggested test or procedure.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.

Dr. Joel Rosh: Positioning Therapies for Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis

Dr. Joel Rosh gave our group an excellent update on sequencing therapy for ulcerative colitis (UC).  My notes below may contain errors in transcription and in omission. Along with my notes, I have included many of his slides.

  • There are only two FDA-approved biologics in pediatric Ulcerative Colitis. It typically takes 8-10 years for a medication with approval in adults to receive FDA approval in children
  • The concept of IBD as two diseases, Crohn’s disease and UC, is flawed; there are more than 200 susceptibility genes for inflammatory bowel disease
  • There has been an increasing incidence and prevalence of IBD. Some of this increase is likely due to our diet and its effects on the microbiome
  • Ultrasound is a nice tool to see what is going on in real time and shows that UC is really a transmural disease.  UC changes in the bowel can result in fibrosis
  • Consider cytokine-basis for disease as a way to conceptualize disease presentation compared to organ-based disease. Many autoimmune diseases (eg. JIA, RA, Psoriasis) are different manifestations related to cytokine-based autoimmunity
  • Almost all pediatric IBD can be considered higher risk based on known risk factors including disease extent (>80% of pediatric UC is pancolitis) and disease age of onset
  • Mesalamine steroid-free clinical remission rates are about 1/3rd after 1 year of treatment
  • Overall, there has been an improvement in colectomy rates since 2001; there still appears to be a bump in the colectomy rate after having UC for more than 10 years
  • Elevated CRP is less common in patients with UC, compared to Crohn’s disease, and is a marker for more severe disease activity
  • Dr. Rosh prefers to avoid some terms including biologic-naive and steroid failure; he favors biologic-unexposed for the former. For the latter, he tries to make it clear that the patient was not a steroid failure. Steroids failed the patient rather than the patient failing the steroids
  • Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is mainly beneficial for anti-TNF agents at this time. Use of TDM can help monotherapy achieve similar results as combination therapy. For infliximab, Dr. Rosh’s ‘rule of thumb’ is 28-18-8 for 2 week trough, 6 week trough, and maintenance trough. Therapeutic levels will meet or exceed these trough levels.
  • Combination therapy has not been shown to improve pharmacokinetics for vedolizumab or ustekinumab
  • Generally, a washout period is not needed when changing biologic therapies. In fact, having some overlap in the medications may have some therapeutic benefit
  • Upadacitinib (Rinvoq) appears to be the most effective JAK for IBD. It is labelled for use as a 2nd-line agent but may be superior for some sicker patients. Rinvoq could be considered as a ‘bridge’ medication in patients with acute severe ulcerative colitis with transition to another biologic like vedolizumab
  • It is important for families to be informed that there is a black box warning for the use of JAK inhibitors. However, major cardiac adverse events (MACE) do not appear to be increased in patients without preexisting cardiac disease risk factors

Related blog posts:

Disclaimer: This blog, gutsandgrowth, assumes no responsibility for any use or operation of any method, product, instruction, concept or idea contained in the material herein or for any injury or damage to persons or property (whether products liability, negligence or otherwise) resulting from such use or operation. These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  Because of rapid advances in the medical sciences, the gutsandgrowth blog cautions that independent verification should be made of diagnosis and drug dosages. The reader is solely responsible for the conduct of any suggested test or procedure.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.

Is It RISKy Not To Use Anti-TNF Therapy for Pediatric Crohn’s Disease?

D Geem et al (Senior author: Subra Kugasthasan). Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 22: 368-376. Progression of Pediatric Crohn’s Disease Is Associated With Anti–Tumor Necrosis Factor Timing and Body Mass Index Z-Score Normalization

Congratulations to my colleagues at Emory who led/participated in this study.

This study examined 5-year longitudinal data from the pediatric multicenter RISK cohort (n=1075). RISK=risk stratification and identification of immunogenetic and microbial markers of rapid disease progression in children

Key findings:

  • For children with a low BMIz at diagnosis (n = 294), BMIz normalization within 6 months of diagnosis were associated with a decreased risk for surgery (HR 0.47). Patients without BMIz normalization were enriched for genes in cytokine production and inflammation.
  • Unsurprisingly, baseline B2 (stricturing disease) and B2+B3 (stricturing and penetrating disease) were associated with increased risk of surgery with HR, 4.20 and HR, 8.24 respectively
  • Earlier anti-TNF therapy was associated with a lower hazard rate (HR) of needing surgery


My take: It appears that early anti-TNF therapy lowers the risk of surgery. Improved BMI with treatment is another good prognostic variable. There may be an early window in which effective treatment prevents long-term damage to the GI tract in pediatric patients with Crohn’s disease.

This study has overlapping findings (also with RISK cohort) by Adler et al showing early treatment preventing perianal fistulas. Blog post: Early Treatment Can Prevent Fistulas in Pediatric Crohn’s Disease

Related article: JC McCurdy et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 22: 377-385. Open Access! Comparative Effectiveness of Biologic Therapies in Preventing Penetrating Complications in Patients With Crohn’s Disease

In this observational retrospective study with 40,693 patients: 93% anti-TNF, 3% UST (ustekinumab), and 4% VDZ (vedolizumab), “Anti-TNF therapy was associated with a lower risk of LPD and PPD [luminal and perianal penetrating disease] compared with VDZ, and lower risk of LPD compared with UST.”

Related blog posts:

IBD Updates: Extending Mirkizumab Induction, Best Biologic, Fatigue in Pediatric IBD, Adalimumab Success in Patients with Abdominal Abscess

  1. G D’Haens et al. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2024; https://doi.org/10.1093/ibd/izae004. Extended Induction and Prognostic Indicators of Response in Patients Treated with Mirikizumab with Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis in the LUCENT Trials

Key findings:

  • Of patients not achieving clinical response during 12-week induction, 53.7% achieved response following extended induction (additional 3 doses of IV infusion every 4 weeks)
  • With “extended induction,” total of 80.3% mirikizumab-treated patients achieved clinical response by W24

2. S Schreiber et al. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2024; 30: S7. NETWORK META-ANALYSIS TO EVALUATE THE COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF BIOLOGICS FOR MAINTENANCE TREATMENT OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH CROHN’S DISEASE

Methods: A network meta-analysis (NMA) was conducted to evaluate comparative efficacy of licensed biologics. Phase 3 randomized controlled-trials (RCTs) evaluating biologics approved by the European Medicines Agency or United States Food and Drug Administration as of 31 March 2023 for maintenance treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe CD were included, i.e. infliximab (IFX) intravenous (IV) and SC, adalimumab (ADL) SC, vedolizumab (VDZ) IV and SC, ustekinumab (UST) SC, and risankizumab (RZB) SC.

Key findings:

  • Among 8 comparator arms, IFX SC 120 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) showed the highest odds ratio (95% credible interval) vs. PBO for clinical remission during the maintenance phase (3.52 [2.18–5.65]).

My take: This meta-analysis shows a favorable response for IFX SC; however, head-to-head trials are needed to really determine which biologic has the highest efficacy.

3. N Bevers et al. JPGN 2024; 2023; 77: 628-633. Fatigue and Physical Activity Patterns in Children With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

In this cross-sectional study with 104 children (24 with fatigue), biological parameters (CRP, fecal calprotectin) did not discriminate fatigued from non-fatigued patient

4. Y Bouhnik et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 21: 3365-3378. Adalimumab in Biologic-naïve Patients With Crohn’s Disease After Resolution of an Intra-abdominal Abscess: A Prospective Study From the GETAID

In this multicenter prospective study with 117 patients, the authors examined the success rate of adalimumab (ADA) in patients with CD with an intra-abdominal abscess resolved without surgery.

Key findings:

  • At W24, the survival rate without abscess recurrence or surgery was 74% (n=87)
  • Abscess drainage was significantly associated with ADA failure at W24 (odds ratio, 4.18)

My take (borrowed from authors): Provided that the abscess was carefully managed before initiating medical treatment, this study showed the high efficacy of ADA in the short and long term in biologic-naïve patients with CD complicated by an intra-abdominal abscess

Adjacent to Honeymoon Beach, St John