Nutritional supplementation with polymeric diet enriched with transforming growth factor-beta 2 for children with Crohn's disease.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A polymeric diet rich in transforming growth factor-beta 2 used as a single nutrient has been shown to induce remission in 79% of children with Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVES:

To summarize the experience of several pediatric gastroenterology units in Israel using a TGFbeta2-enriched polymeric diet (Modulen IBD) supplementation in children and adolescents with Crohn's disease.

METHODS:

In a retrospective study we reviewed the charts of 28 children with Crohn's disease (10 girls, 18 boys) who received, in addition to conventional treatment, Modulen IBD as a supplement to their regular nutrition. These children were compared with 18 children supplemented with standard polymeric formula (Ensure Plus) and 18 children without formula supplementation. We recorded clinical manifestations, growth, and the Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index before and after initiation of the polymeric diet.

RESULTS:

The Modulen-treated children showed a significant decrease in PCDAI from 34.3 to 15.7 (P< 0.0001). A significant decrease in PCDAI was recorded also in the Ensure Plus group, from 35 to 22 (P= 0.02) but not in the non-supplemented group. Significant improvements in body mass index (P = 0.01) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P= 0.03) were recorded at follow-up (median 3.4 months) only in the Modulen IBD group.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this cohort of children with Crohn's disease, supplementation of the diet with Modulen IBD as well as supplementation with Ensure Plus was associated with a decrease in PCDAI. The children supplemented with Modulen IBD also showed improvement in BMI, suggesting an additional advantage of nutritional therapy in children with this disease.

• Authors: Corina Hartman, Drora Berkowitz, Batia Weiss, Ron Shaoul, Arie Levine, Orly Eshach Adiv, Riki Shapira, Akiva Fradkin, Michael Wilschanski, Ada Tamir, Raanan Shamir
• Journal: The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ (Isr Med Assoc J) Vol. 10 Issue 7 Pg. 503-7 (Jul 2008) ISSN: 1565-1088 [Print] Israel
• PMID: 18751627 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Transforming Growth Factor beta2

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anthropometry
• Body Mass Index
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Crohn Disease (diet therapy, physiopathology)
• Diet
• Dietary Supplements
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Remission Induction
• Retrospective Studies
• Transforming Growth Factor beta2 (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome