Predicting Response to Standardized Pediatric Colitis Therapy

This is a multi-center, open-label study to determine the safety and effectiveness (how well it works) of two standardized treatments called "mesalamine" (Pentasa®) and "prednisone" in children with newly diagnosed Ulcerative Colitis (UC). Standardized treatments are types of treatments agreed upon and used by many qualified doctors. The medications being used in this study are considered "standard of care". Currently the ways in which these medicines are used (doses, frequency of dosing) may vary from site to site. This study will determine response to a standardized way of giving these medicines. This study will also identify biomarkers for ulcerative colitis. Biomarkers are things that doctors can find in blood, stool, or bowel tissue that indicate how much inflammation there is in the bowel, how the inflammation is produced, and whether the inflammation is responding to treatment. Collecting response and remission (free of symptoms) information on these standardized treatments and the "biomarkers" can possibly help doctors create a model, or plan to know which children with UC may respond quickly, or which children may develop complications.