ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the experience utilizing elemental diet therapy in pediatric patients with Crohn's disease. It presents the results on the use of elemental diet to reverse malnutrition and growth failure. The chapter discusses the data on the use of elemental diet therapy to control disease activity in active Crohn's disease. The role of diet in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has always been controversial. IBD patients, or their families, often request specific information concerning dietary counseling for gastrointestinal symptoms. The mechanisms contributing to the malnutrition and various micronutrient deficiencies in pediatric IBD patients are numerous. Overall, inadequate caloric intake is the primary cause of growth retardation in IBD. Nutritional therapy has generally been considered an adjunctive treatment in the management of malnourished patients with IBD. Growth failure represents a common, serious complication of IBD unique to the pediatric age group.
