Effectiveness of enteric coated pancreatic enzymes given before meals in reducing steatorrhea in children with cystic fibrosis.
In vitro data indicate that length of enzyme incubation with food critically affects enzyme dissolution and presumably effectiveness. This study compared the effectiveness of enteric coated (EC) pancreatic enzymes given before meals with those given during meals (15 minutes after beginning of meal) in reducing steatorrhea in well-nourished children with cystic fibrosis. Eight children (6 years 11 months old to 14 years 7 months old) were studied in the General Clinical Research Center at Indiana University Hospital, Indianapolis. A crossover study design randomly assigned enzymes before or during meals during two consecutive 7-day treatment periods for each child. No difference in fat excretion was documented for the total group when the children who took enzymes before meals were compared with those who took enzymes during meals. However, a stepwise multiple regression analysis of the difference (before minus during) in fat excretion on sex, age, enzyme number, and treatment order documented a positive correlation of age with fat excretion (r = .83). Mean fat excretion in younger children (less than 10 years old) decreased significantly when enzymes were given before meals (7.14 +/- 1.95%) rather than during meals (9.92 +/- 1.61%) (P = .004). The difference in fat excretion (mean = 2.78 +/- 0.55%, range = 1.4% to 4%) translates into a half to one full year's growth potential. Younger children with cystic fibrosis may benefit clinically from taking EC enzymes before meals.
Brady
M S
MS
James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202-5200.
Rickard
K
K
Yu
P L
PL
Eigen
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004435:Eating; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008863:Microspheres; D010194:Pancreatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D008055:Lipids; D010194:Pancreatin