Zvuloni M, Matar M, Levi R, et al. - Since risks for adverse events are associated with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFα) therapy for refractory pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), this study was run to unveil the association between anti-TNFα trough levels and adverse events rate among pediatric patients suffering from IBD.

• A total of 135 pediatric patients with IBD (59 [43.7%] girls, mean age at diagnosis 12.9 [±3] years, 111 [82.2%] Crohn disease) who were treated with anti-TNFα agents and had sequential monitoring of trough concentration (TC) (1589 measurements) were analyzed retrospectively.

• A median follow-up of 1.7 years (IQR 1.1–2.7) revealed the occurrence of 156 adverse events in 50 patients (37%).

• There was no association of higher TCs with higher rate of anti-TNFα-related adverse events.

• Whereas, such adverse events (excluding increase in liver transaminases) were related to younger age.