Nutrition in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease: is it useful for prevention and therapy?

Countless studies aiming to discover the cause and cure of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been conducted over the years world-wide. Food nutrients were believed to play a certain role in the causation of the disease, in conjunction with genetic, immunologic, environmental and other factors (especially intestinal microbiota). Various nutrients were found to be involved, sometimes with controversial results, possibly pertaining to geographic regions. Nutrition has to be especially considered in children as disease itself and/or the medication can severely impair normal growth and development, sometimes with permanent long-term sequels. We reviewed the data on the possible roles of diet in preventing the disease and relapses. We emphasize the crucial importance of enteral nutrition in inducing and maintaining the remission of Crohn's disease, according to the existing consensuses (benefits, indications, routes of administration, types of formula, duration, results). We also present data on parenteral nutrition in pediatric IBD, with current updates from literature.