Enteral diets, both elemental and, more recently, polymeric (whole protein), are used as primary therapy in @entity30 and can induce disease remission without the concomitant use of immunosuppressive drugs. Controlled trials comparing enteral nutrition with corticosteroid therapy have given mixed results but suggest, at least in @entity1 , that they are as effective as @entity288 in inducing remission. There is no clear consensus as to which dietary therapy is best. Elemental diets do not seem to be superior to polymeric whole protein-based diets, although further work is necessary. The effect of enteral diets does not seem to be related to the site of intestinal @entity32 . Enteral nutrition is particularly appropriate in @entity1 and adolescents with @entity30 , improving nutrition and promoting growth and pubertal development, and avoiding the systemic @entity137 of corticosteroid therapy. Most centers will use it as a first line of treatment. Supplementary enteral nutrition after primary therapy and remission induction may be associated with the prolongation of remission and promotion of linear growth. Pathways by which enteral diets may affect @entity32 are discussed. Enteral diets may inhibit intestinal immune responses by reducing the number of cytokine-producing cells. Enteral nutrition may also boost immunosuppressive pathways, which then endogenously suppress ongoing @entity32 . Enteral diets may promote epithelial healing and reepithelialization of @entity30 and may also reduce the bacterial load in the small bowel.

Childhood XXXX and the efficacy of enteral diets.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['children'] @entity32 :: ('MESH:D007249', 'Disease') :: ['inflammation', 'mucosal inflammation'] @entity137 :: ('MESH:D064420', 'Disease') :: ['toxicity'] @entity30 :: ('MESH:D003424', 'Disease') :: ["Crohn's ulcers", "Crohn's disease"] @entity288 :: ('MESH:D000305', 'Chemical') :: ['corticosteroids']
@entity30 :: (MESH:D003424,Disease) :: ['Crohn's disease']
