O067 - LONG-TERM IMPACT OF EXCLUSIVE ENTERAL NUTRITION ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN PEDIATRIC CROHN’S DISEASE PATIENTS

O067

LONG-TERM IMPACT OF EXCLUSIVE ENTERAL NUTRITION ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN PEDIATRIC CROHN’S DISEASE PATIENTS

L. Sreedharan^1,*, A. Devi², D. Kesavelu³

¹Dietetics, Apollo Childrens Hospitals, chennai, ²Nutrition, PSG college of Arts and science, coimbatore, ³gastroenterologist, Apollo Childrens Hospitals, chennai, India

Rationale: Exclusive Enteral Nutrition (EEN) is the first line treatment for Pediatric Crohn’s Disease (CD)  There are no studies on long term outcome from India. This study examines the effect of EEN on clinical outcome and dietary intake at EEN initiation, after EEN and during remission at 12 months.

Methods: Recruited 61 CD children following EEN from 2016-2023. The Daily nutritive allowances were titrated with targets of EEN therapy i.e. 120% of RDA during EEN and Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) after remission. Follow-up at 12 months concluded the study. Anthropometric data and percentage of diet requirement met were compared.

Results: Initial nutritional assessment showed 58 % were undernourished (UN) and 42% well-nourished (WN). After EEN for 8 weeks, 26 % were UN and 74% were WN. At 1 year follow up 8.1% and 92% were UW and WN . Significant weight gains seen after 8 weeks EEN (P < 0.02) and at 1 year follow up (P < 0.05) . Prevalence of anemia at treatment initiation was 74 %. At the end of EEN decreased to 36% (P < 0.001) and substantially decreased to 9% at 1 year follow up (P < 0.001) . Baseline inflammatory markers improved significantly albumin (P < 0.01) and ESR (P < 0.001) and Significant decrease in PCDAI from 32.3 to 12.6 (P< 0.0001) noted at the end of EEN .There was a significant difference in terms of dietary intake (p < 0.05). The energy intakes were correlated with PCDAI (p<0.0001; r = - 0.74) and BMI (p=0.03).92% of children were able to meet 97% of RDA requirements at 1 year follow up.

Conclusion: Although CD is incurable its adverse effect and quality of life can be improved with EEN. Adjusting the Daily nutritive allowances helps in the improvement of the nutritional status of the subjects in long term. EEN is an effective treatment in achieving remission. 

Disclosure of Interest: None declared