Symposium 6: Young people, artificial nutrition and transitional care Nutrition, growth and puberty in children and adolescents with Crohn's disease

• Published in: Proceedings of the Nutrition Society Vol. 69; no. 1; pp. 174 - 177
• Main Author: Beattie, R. M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.02.2010
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Development; adolescent nutrition; adolescents; Antibodies, Monoclonal - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child Development; child growth; child nutrition; children; Children and adolescents; Chronic Disease; Continuity of Patient Care; Crohn disease; Crohn Disease - complications; Crohn Disease - physiopathology; Crohn Disease - therapy; Crohn's disease; diet therapy; disease control; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Growth; Growth Disorders - etiology; Growth Disorders - psychology; Humans; literature reviews; malnutrition; Management; Nutrition and growth; nutritional adequacy; Nutritional Status; Nutritional Support; parenteral feeding; Puberty; Puberty - physiology; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Puberty; Crohn's disease; Children and adolescents; Management; Nutrition and growth; Human; Nutrition; Growth; Care; Inflammatory disease; Feeding; Crohn disease; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Adolescent; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Child
• ISSN: 0029-6651; 1475-2719
• DOI: 10.1017/S0029665109991820

Of the individuals who present with Crohn's disease 25% are <18 years of age, mostly adolescent. Nutritional impairment and delayed growth are common at diagnosis and remain an issue during the disease course. Treatment has the primary aim to control symptoms, induce disease remission and achieve normal growth in the long term and includes nutritional support and early use of immunomodulation. Puberty may be discordant and is generally late and final adult height may not be achieved until the late teenage years. Chronic ill health and delayed growth may be accompanied by emotional and intellectual immaturity. These factors, including the varying rates of physical and emotional development, need to be considered during adolescence with multidisciplinary input to ensure that the young patient is appropriately supported. Transition to adult care requires close collaboration between paediatric and healthcare teams with careful attention to nutritional, emotional and educational issues, all of which are relevant in the progression from childhood, through adolescence and to adult life.