Ballengee CR, et al. - Researchers investigated the plasma levels of collagen type III alpha 1 chain (COL3A1) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) at diagnosis among children with inflammatory Crohn’s disease (B1) who later develop strictures (B2) vs children who remain B1. In addition, they compared the results to previously studied biomarkers, including autoantibodies against colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2). From the Risk Stratification and Identification of Immunogenic and Microbial Markers of Rapid Disease Progression in Children with Crohn’s cohort, completed at 28 sites in the US and Canada from 2008 through 2012, they selected 161 subjects (mean age, 12.2 years; 62% male). Patients with Crohn’s disease who later developed strictures showed significantly higher median plasma concentrations of COL3A1, measured by ELISA at diagnosis, vs patients without strictures. At diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, the combination of concentrations of COL3A1 and anti-CSF2 may allow pediatric patients at risk for future strictures to be identified.