Nutritional status and food intake in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease at diagnosis significantly differs from healthy controls.

Abstract

Nutritional status and dietary intake in pediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease are complex and need to be further explored. Therefore, we have assessed anthropometric measures, body composition, and dietary intake of newly diagnosed pediatric patients, and compared them with healthy controls. This was a prospective cross-sectional study including newly diagnosed patients with inflammatory bowel disease (n = 89) and healthy controls (n = 159). Mean energy intake was significantly lower in healthy controls compared to patients with ulcerative colitis, but not in patients with Crohn's disease. Intake of all macronutrients, dietary fiber, and calcium was significantly lower in patients with ulcerative colitis, whereas the only intake of animal protein, fruit, and calcium differed significantly in patients with Crohn's disease. There were no significant differences in the body fat percentage between patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease vs. controls; however, lean mass-for-age z-scores were significantly lower in patients with both diseases in comparison to controls.Conclusion: Food intake of newly diagnosed pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease significantly differed from healthy controls. Altered anthropometry and body composition are present already at the time of diagnosis. What is Known: • Children with inflammatory bowel disease suffer from malnutrition, especially children with Crohn's disease in whom linear growth failure often precedes gastrointestinal symptoms. What is New: • This study showed significantly lower intake of energy, macronutrients, and various micronutrients in patients with ulcerative colitis compared to healthy controls, while patients with Crohn's disease have a lower intake of fruits, calcium, and animal protein at diagnosis. • Altered body composition is present in both groups of patients at the time of diagnosis.