title: [Status of elemental diets in the therapy of Crohn disease in childhood].
abstract: Since the seventieth low molecular weight formulas, "elemental diets", are applied in acute Crohn's disease in addition to drug therapy. In small bowel involvement, therapeutic efficiency in active disease is as good as salazosulfapyridine combined with corticosteroids. Physiological changes under elemental diet have been reported: decrease of gastric and pancreatic secretion, changes of bacterial bowel flora and in patients with Crohn's disease decreased fecal bile acid excretion and decreased intestinal losses of lymphocytes were described. Further, the absence of allergens in the formula and the quick and complete resorption are discussed to be important to clinical improvement in Crohn's disease. Indications for elemental diet are acute small bowel disease, intestinal obstruction, malnourishment and growth retardation. Further studies are needed to examine if elemental diets are effective in gastrointestinal fistulas and extraintestinal symptoms in Crohn's disease.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000178:diet therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006801:Humans; D007412:Intestinal Fistula / Q000178:diet therapy; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000178:diet therapy; D014945:Wound Healing
vernacular_title: Stellung von Elementardiäten in der Therapie des Morbus Crohn im Kindesalter.