title: Clinical and mucosal improvement with specific carbohydrate diet in pediatric Crohn disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate clinical and mucosal responses to the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) in children with Crohn disease (CD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligible patients with active CD (Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index [PCDAI] ≥ 15) underwent a patency capsule and, if passed intact, capsule endoscopy (CE) was performed. Patients taking SCD were monitored for 52 weeks while maintaining all prescribed medications. Demographic, dietary, and clinical information, PCDAI, Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI), and Lewis score (LS) were collected at 0, 12, and 52 weeks. CEs were evaluated by an experienced reader blinded to patient clinical information and timing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen patients were screened; 10 enrolled; and 9 completed the initial 12-week trial-receiving 85% of estimated caloric needs before, and 101% on the SCD. HB significantly decreased from 3.3 ± 2.0 to 0.6 ± 1.3 (P = 0.007) as did PCDAI (21.1 ± 5.9 to 7.8 ± 7.1, P = 0.011). LS declined significantly from 2153 ± 732 to 960  ± 433 (P = 0.012). Seven patients continued the SCD up to 52 weeks; HB (0.1 ± 0.4) and PCDAI (5.4 ± 5.5) remained improved (P = 0.016 and 0.027 compared to baseline), with mean LS at 1046 ± 372 and 2 patients showed sustained mucosal healing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical and mucosal improvements were seen in children with CD, who used SCD for 12 and 52 weeks. In addition, CE can monitor mucosal improvement in treatment trials for pediatric CD. Further studies are critically needed to understand the mechanisms underlying SCD's effectiveness in children with CD.
authors.affiliation: *Children's Center for Digestive Health Care †Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA ‡Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy §Given Imaging, Yoqneam, Israel.
authors.forename: Stanley A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Benjamin D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Jeffery
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stallworth
authors.forename: Bailey
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eshee
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mason
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D053704:Capsule Endoscopy; D002648:Child; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates