Descriptive Epidemiology of Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Oceania: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This article systematically reviews and meta-analyzes the epidemiology of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Oceania, focusing on incidence and prevalence rates in children aged 19 years or younger. The review includes 22 studies primarily from Australia and New Zealand, with no identified studies from the Pacific Islands, highlighting a significant research gap. Findings indicate high incidence and prevalence of pediatric IBD in Australasia, particularly Crohn disease (CD), which is more common than ulcerative colitis (UC), and a predominance of male cases. Low rates of pediatric IBD were observed among Indigenous Australian, Māori, and Pacific Islander children, suggesting potential ethnic and environmental influences. The study underscores the need for further population-based research in underrepresented regions of Oceania to better understand disease burden and etiology.