Children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease experience problems that their adult counterparts do not share. Although there are some similarities, the goals of therapy are different. The general medical management of these patients consists of stabilization in the acute phase and control of the disease to allow the patient to grow and lead as normal a life as possible in the chronic phase. Nutritional therapy is a very important aspect of this management, but drugs such as steroids and sulfasalazine and, under special circumstances, other medications are useful adjuncts. Supportive psychotherapy is also important.