Exclusive enteral nutrition in the treatment of children with Crohn’s disease in Sweden: a questionnaire survey

Abstract

The general use of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) as therapy for children with Crohn's disease (CD) in Sweden has not previously been studied. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate how EEN is used as therapy in Sweden for children with CD. A questionnaire was sent to all 37 paediatric units in Sweden that treat children with inflammatory bowel disease. The response rate was 78%, which covers nearly 90% of Sweden's paediatric population between 0 and 17 years of age. Ninety-six per cent of the units used EEN as a treatment option for children with CD, and 65% of the units used EEN as their primary therapy in newly diagnosed CD. The standard duration of EEN was 6 weeks, but the questionnaire revealed a span of 4-8 weeks. The use of polymeric formula was just as common as a combination of polymeric and elemental formulas. Fifty-seven per cent used oral nutrition supplements, and 81% allowed some extent of concomitant feeding, the addition of food and fluids, during EEN. All units used enteral nutrition to some extent as maintenance therapy after EEN was discontinued. In Sweden, EEN is used as therapy for children with Crohn's disease (CD), but the EEN protocols vary as to choice of formula and type of food and fluids allowed during EEN. Standardized EEN protocols would enable multicentre studies in Sweden, with the objective of investigating how EEN treatment can be improved and employed in the most efficient way.