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Published on: February 27, 2014
Patients' diets and preferences in a pediatric population with inflammatory bowel disease
T J Green1, R M Issenman, K Jacobson
1Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.
Insights
Children with inflammatory bowel disease often change their diets, with many reporting symptom relief. Common dietary changes include avoiding corn, nuts, and dairy, alongside using supplements for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Nutritional Science
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
Background:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) significantly impacts children's quality of life.
- Dietary modifications are frequently explored by patients to manage IBD symptoms.
- Understanding current dietary practices in pediatric IBD is crucial for supportive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dietary habits of pediatric patients diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
- To assess the perceived effectiveness of these dietary interventions.
- To document specific dietary changes and food avoidances in pediatric IBD.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was distributed to 153 pediatric IBD patients at a children's hospital.
- A response rate of 82% (125 patients) was achieved, including those with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).
- Data collected included dietary changes, specific diets employed, avoided foods, and symptom relief.
Main Results:
- Most pediatric IBD patients (90% CD, 71% UC) modified their diets post-diagnosis.
- Commonly used interventions included caloric supplements, low-fiber, and lactose-free diets.
- Patients reported symptom relief, particularly for abdominal pain, diarrhea, and flatulence, from 103 of 141 reported diets.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric IBD patients actively alter their diets to manage their condition.
- These dietary changes are often associated with self-reported symptomatic improvement.
- Further research can explore evidence-based dietary guidelines for pediatric IBD management.
Purpose:
To determine the dietary practices of the pediatric inflammatory bowel disease population at the Children's Hospital of the Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation and the reported effectiveness of those diets.
Patients And Methods:
A questionnaire mailed to 153 pediatric patients was returned by 125 patients (76 Crohn's disease [CD] and 49 ulcerative colitis [UC] patients)--an 82% response rate.
Results:
The median age of respondents was 13 years, and 62% were male. Ninety per cent and 71% of CD and UC patients, respectively, had changed their diets since diagnosis. Caloric supplements (eg, BOOST [Mead Johnson Nutritionals]), sole source nutrition, low fibre and lactose-free diets were used by more than 15% of CD patients, whereas lactose-free, nonspicy, low acid, additive-free, caloric supplement and low fibre diets were used by more than 15% of UC patients. A diet supplement was more commonly used in CD patients (P < 0.05) and an additive-free diet in UC patients. Corn and corn products, nuts, milk and bran were avoided by more than 20% of CD and UC patients; however, more CD than UC patients avoided corn and corn products. In addition, UC patients (more than 20%) also avoided tomato, other dairy (nonfluid milk-based products and foods containing milk products), chocolate, cheese, wheat, tomato sauces and fruit juice. A benefit was reported for 103 of 141 reported diets, with the most commonly alleviated symptoms being abdominal pain, diarrhea and flatulence.
Conclusion:
Many children with inflammatory bowel disease have altered their diets to manage their disease and have attributed symptomatic relief to these diets.
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