Published online Jun 14, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i22.6809
Peer-review started: January 20, 2015
First decision: March 10, 2015
Revised: March 26, 2015
Accepted: April 16, 2015
Article in press: April 17, 2015
Published online: June 14, 2015
Processing time: 150 Days and 6.2 Hours
Exclusive enteral nutrition involves the use of a complete liquid diet, with the exclusion of normal dietary components for a defined period of time, as a therapeutic measure to induce remission in active Crohn’s disease (CD). This very efficacious approach leads to high rates of remission, especially in children and adolescents newly diagnosed with CD. This intervention also results in mucosal healing, nutritional improvements and enhanced bone health. Whilst several recent studies have provided further elaboration of the roles of exclusive enteral nutrition in the management of CD, other reports have provided new understanding of the mechanisms by which this intervention acts.
Core tip: Exclusive enteral nutrition is well-established as a key therapy in children with active Crohn’s disease. Recent studies increasingly support this role, whilst other data has illustrated key mechanisms of action.