Introduction: Malnutrition, growth failure, and nutrient deficiencies are contributing factors to morbidity in children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Methods: A prospective preliminary study was conducted that included 14 clinically asymptomatic IBD patients and a cohort of 14 healthy children of similar age serving as controls. A 3-day dietary history of each subject was analyzed for intake of various nutrients.Results: Analysis of the diet histories revealed that a disproportionately large number of IBD patients had suboptimal intake, i.e. below 66% of the recommended daily allowances (RDA), for vitamins A, D, E and calcium when compared to controls. We observed that: for vitamin A, 36% of IBD patients failed to reach 66% of the RDA compared to 9% of controls (p < 0.03); for vitamin E, 57% of IBD patients compared to 36% of controls (p < 0.22); for vitamin D, 79% of IBD patients compared to 64% of controls (p < 0.35); and for calcium, 43% of IBD patients compared to 18% of controls (p< 0.08). Speculation: These deficiencies may be the result of poor nutritional counselling or may be a consequence of self-administered, or physician prescribed, dietary intervention. A marked decrease in nutrient intake may have potentially serious long-term consequences as newly emerging data has shown the critical role played by dietary calcium and anti-oxidants in preventing osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and cancer.Conclusion: This preliminary study reveals that IBD patients, even when seemingly well, tend to have low dietary intake of vitamins A, D, E and calcium. This study points to the need for regular counselling of IBD patients and careful monitoring of their diets even when these patients appear clinically well.
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Kazlow, P., Borger, C., Cohn, L. et al. ASYMPTOMATIC MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE. 707. Pediatr Res 39 (Suppl 4), 120 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199604001-00729
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199604001-00729