THE pIBD DIGEST

In this episode of THE pIBD DIGEST, we mark World IBD Day with a global mentor and leading PIBD expert, Prof Anne Griffiths (SickKids, Toronto).

No talk of purple—just a masterclass in navigating the grey zones of advanced therapy positioning in IBD. Complex questions? Handled with ease. Nuances? Dissected flawlessly with the calm authority of someone who has truly seen it all.

We wrap things up on a lighter note, with Dr Coelho reimagining Mambo No. 5 into a biologics-inspired poem: “The Mumbo-Jumbo of Advanced Therapies.”

In this episode of THE PIBD Digest, we travel to Tokyo for an inspiring and uplifting conversation with Professor Katsuhiro Arai or “Sunny” —a paediatric gastroenterologist whose warmth is as striking as his scientific expertise. Sunny is also President-Elect of the Asia Pacific Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, and Chair of its Scientific Committee.

With trademark enthusiasm and infectious positivity, Sunny shares insights into paediatric inflammatory bowel disease in Japan, including the national IBD registry, emerging PIBD trends, and how data is shaping better care for children. What really stands out is Sunny’s deep passion for the psychological wellbeing of patients and their families—reminding us that caring for children with IBD means supporting hearts and minds, not just guts.

Full of wisdom, and that unmistakable ‘Sunny’ sparkle, this episode is a joyful reminder that compassion and connection are just as powerful as medicine.

In this episode of THE pIBD DIGEST, we pack our virtual bags and head to Saudi Arabia to explore the evolving landscape of paediatric IBD. Our guide is Dr Ali Zaidan, paediatric gastroenterologist from Jeddah, who gives us an honest, practical view of what pIBD really looks like in day to day clinical practice. We talk about some uniquely important regional factors, including consanguinity and its impact on the IBD spectrum, and hear about the impressive immune dysregulation programme developed in collaboration with Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr Zaidan also shares insights from the structured paediatric GI fellowship programme he directs, alongside his pioneering work in education and training in PIBD. Thought provoking, informative, and refreshingly grounded, this episode reminds us that while PIBD may present differently across regions, curiosity, collaboration (and good conversations) are very much universal.

In Part 2 of our BSPGHAN IBD series, we’re joined by Dr Christian Selinger, adult gastroenterologist from Leeds, who paints a rather lovely picture of paediatric IBD care—while also gently bursting the bubble that, in several domains, we still have plenty to learn from our adult IBD colleagues.

In the second half of the episode, Dr Aaron Bancil from The Royal London Hospital takes us into the world of dietary intervention in IBD, offering a glimpse into the low emulsifier diet being explored as part of the ADDapt trial. Food for thought—cleverly emulsified!

Straight from the halls of BSPGHAN Leeds 2026—where we expertly (and entirely coincidentally) “borrowed” two outstanding paediatric gastroenterologists from the conference floor—we bring you the highlights you meant to catch… but didn’t.

In part one of this two episode series, we lightly ambush Dr Neil Chanchlani and Dr Rebecca Little for a rapid-fire debrief (purely in the name of education, of course).

Dr Chanchlani breaks down the ECCO ESPGHAN guidelines, translating them into something far more digestible than post conference PowerPoint fatigue. Meanwhile, Dr Little tackles a big issue—also known as a significant gap in UK IBD standards—leaving plenty to reflect on.

Think of this as your conference catch up, minus the badge, the tote bag, and the aggressively strong coffee.

Press play and pretend you were there all along.

In this episode, our globetrotting gut-adventures continue—virtual passports in hand—as we touch down in Malaysia. Joining us is Dr Kee Seang Chew, who guides us through the evolving landscape of paediatric IBD: the emerging trends, current treatment approaches, and the very real challenges faced by clinicians and families on the ground.

As we zoom out for a wider view, Dr Chew offers valuable insight into the pIBD experience in Malaysia. He highlights key barriers that persist across the country—unequal access to advanced care, difficulties in sustaining long term treatment, and the ongoing struggle for adequate resources and support.

We wrap up on a reflective note, as Dr Coelho shares his poem “We Bicker, We Mourn”—a heartfelt tribute to the NHS: a system that may creak, groan, and occasionally argue with itself, but still shows up when it matters most.

In this second episode of our two-part series with Professor Dan Turner, hosts Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell wade bravely back into the murky waters of advanced combination therapy in IBD. This is uncharted territory—where the evidence is emerging, the decisions are nuanced, and the stakes are high.

Because, as in life, not every partnership stands the test of time. Some combinations thrive, others fizzle—and figuring out which is which is where the real art (and science) lies.

So how do you choose the right partner? When do you commit? And when is it time to call it quits?

Join us as we explore the realities, risks, and evolving role of pairing biologics (and biologics with small molecules) in the quest for better patient outcomes.

In this special anniversary episode of the PIBD Digest Podcast, we’re delighted to welcome global IBD leader Dan Turner for an engaging and wide-ranging conversation.

We explore how a tasty and healthy diet can play a meaningful role in managing IBD—because good medicine doesn’t always have to taste bad. Along the way, we zoom out to discuss the bigger picture of modern IBD care, including evolving treatment strategies and advanced therapies.

From nutrition to cutting-edge therapeutics, this episode is packed with thoughtful reflections, practical insights, and a generous serving of IBD “pearls of wisdom” for clinicians, families, and anyone interested in the future of IBD care.

The exotic IBD world tour rolls on! After touching down in India, hosts Dr Tracy Coelho and Dr Chris Bakewell hop over (virtually) to the Lion City for the latest episode of THE pIBD DIGEST.

They’re joined by Singapore’s very own paediatric IBD expert, Dr James Huang, who delivers a fascinating tour of the pIBD landscape in Singapore. From the practical realities of switching biologics to navigating healthcare payment models, James unpacks how systems, funding, and clinical decision-making collide in the real world.

And with one of the cleanest cities on the planet facing a rising incidence of IBD, the hygiene hypothesis was always going to make an appearance—and yes, it gets a thorough airing. Just when listeners might be tempted to step away from the hand sanitiser, Dr Coelho steps in with a subtle (and cheeky) reminder: the hygiene hypothesis is not a licence for poor hygiene.

Join us on a virtual journey across India as we explore the changing face of paediatric IBD in one of the world’s most diverse countries. As pIBD becomes increasingly recognised across the subcontinent, Dr Rohan Malik—Additional Professor at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi—shares insights into the challenges of diagnosis and delivering high-quality care across a vast, varied, and often unequal healthcare system.

We round off the episode on a deliciously thoughtful note, as Dr Coelho brings his signature poetic flair with “The Street-Food Hypothesis”—a playful yet pointed counter to the hygiene hypothesis, and a gentle rebellion against the spread of giant fast-food chains in rapidly developing nations.