[Analysis of nutritional status before and after different induction therapies in children with Crohn's disease].

OBJECTIVES

To study the impact of different induction remission therapies on the nutritional status of children with Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical data of 188 children with CD who received induction remission therapy at the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2013 to May 2023. The effects of three induction remission therapies-exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN), corticosteroids, and infliximab (IFX)-on height, weight, hemoglobin, and trace elements were compared.

RESULTS

After induction remission therapy, the weight-for-age Z scores and serum levels of hemoglobin and albumin in all three groups significantly increased (<0.05), while the height-for-age Z scores showed no change (>0.05). The levels of folic acid, 25-hydroxy vitamin D, serum iron, and total calcium increased, and serum copper levels decreased in the EEN and IFX groups (<0.05). Vitamin B levels improved in the EEN group (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

EEN, corticosteroids, and IFX may effectively improve the weight-for-age Z scores and serum levels of hemoglobin and albumin in children with CD. EEN and IFX seem to be superior to corticosteroid therapy in improving 25-hydroxy vitamin D, folic acid, serum iron, and total calcium levels.