Nutritional Management of the Child With Crohn’s Disease

Abstract

Nutritional management of Crohn's Disease (CD) is essential when working with the pediatric population. Treatment needs to target not only symptoms of the disease but also the associated growth failure and nutritional deficiencies. The principle nutritional therapy is the use of enteral nutrition, which has been shown to be safe and effective in both the induction of remission and maintenance in pediatric CD. Additional nutritional supplementation, including omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and glutamine, have been researched, but have not been proven effective. This article will address the role of nutritional therapy and management in pediatric CD, the different nutritional management options, the role of nutritional therapy in the induction and maintenance of remission, and recommendations for health care professionals who care for children with CD.