Parenterale Ernährung in der Behandlung des Minderwuchses bei Adoleszenten mit Morbus Crohn

Growth retardation and delayed puberty occur in 20-35% of children and adolescents with Crohn's disease. Alternate day corticosteroid treatment, use of azathioprine, enteral or parenteral hyperalimentation and surgery have been advocated to reverse growth failure. Because of nonacceptance of elemental diet 7 patients with Crohn's disease and growth retardation received parenteral nutrition for 2-3 months (maximal for more than 30 months in one patient). All of them exhibited a mean weight gain of 10 kg and a mean increase of their height velocity from 2.4 to 7.1 cm/year. Main problems were bacterial infections and dislocations of the central lines. Surgery was performed in 3 adolescents imm…