Nutrition support for pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease: A clinical report of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

Impairment of growth and malnutrition are significant complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in pediatric patients. Since this topic was last reviewed in these pages (1), a number of studies have further explored the epidemiology and pathogenesis of these nutritional complications of IBD in an effort to provide more effective interventions to prevent the long-term consequences of chronic nutrient deficiencies in childhood. In addition, during the past 15 years, the use of selected nutrients and microorganisms (probiotics) as primary or adjunctive therapy for the treatment of IBD has become an emerging area of great interest. The following is a Clinical Report from the Nutrition and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Committees of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.