Exclusive Enteral Nutrition for children with Crohn’s Disease

Introduction

Exclusive Enteral Nutrition is a treatment option for children with Crohn’s Disease and may have been recommended by your doctor/Consultant.

This page offers information about Exclusive Enteral Nutrition. If you have any further questions please speak to your dietitian or IBD team.

What is crohn’s disease?

Crohn’s disease is a condition which causes inflammation in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from mouth to anus. Common symptoms include persistent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, reduced appetite and sometimes blood or mucus in your poo. The symptoms can be mild or severe. They often come and go over time, called flare-ups and remission.

What is Exclusive Enteral Nutrition?

Exclusive Enteral Nutrition is a treatment option for children with Crohn’s Disease. It involves replacing all food with nutritionally complete drinks. These drinks will provide all the energy, protein, vitamins and minerals your body needs and are available in a range of different flavours.

If you are not feeling well, it can be difficult to take all the drinks so you may need to have your special diet through a tube. This is called a nasogastric tube and it is passed through your nose down into your stomach. The liquid is then given using a pump which can be carried around with you in a special rucksack.

Why do we use EEN?

EEN is used to treat active Crohn’s Disease. The aim of your diet is to improve your nutritional status as well as allowing your gut to rest. This is normally a short-term measure.

Evidence suggests that if EEN is followed strictly, it can offer similar remission rates to steroids and has fewer side effects.

After completion of EEN, continuing a maintenance dose of supplements can also help to keep your body in remission.

How does it work?

The exact reason why EEN reduces inflammation in the gut is still unclear and is still being researched.

It is believed to work by altering gut bacteria, reducing pro-inflammatory immune cells.
By removing solid food, EEN reduces the workload of the gut, allowing the inflamed intestinal lining to heal.

It helps to correct nutritional deficiencies, promote weight gain, help with muscle mass and improve bone health.

Are there any side effects?

There aren’t usually any side effects with EEN.

You may feel hungry when you first start the diet and if this remains the case when you are managing your target volume, please contact your dietitian to discuss.

You may be left with a strange taste in your mouth, make sure you brush your teeth regularly and keep drinking extra water.

If you experience any vomiting, abdominal pain or can’t consume the number of drinks prescribed please contact your dietitian to discuss further.

Can I have anything else to eat or drink?

Yes….

• Tap water or bottled water (avoid flavoured water)
• Weak squash (diluted juice)
• Clear boiled sweets or lollies

How long do I need to follow it for?

You will need to take the liquid diet for 6-8 weeks from the day you reach your full target volume. However, you may be recommended to follow the diet for shorter or longer depending on your response. After this your dietitian will discuss re-introducing solid food gradually. It is also recommended that even when you are back to eating normally, you should continue with a small number of the drinks in addition to your usual diet.

How will we know if the diet is working?

• Any symptoms you had before the diet will start to improve e.g. loose stools, tummy ache
• You will start to have more energy and feel stronger
• You will have more of an appetite
• You will gain weight

If there is no noticeable benefit after two weeks on full target volume we may need to consider other treatment options.

Your EEN Plan

Please use the downloadable PDF at the top of the page to access your EEN plan.

Hints and tips

• The drinks are best taken when cold, straight from the fridge
• Alternatively, milk based supplements can be gently heated for a warm drink (do not boil as it will affect the vitamins and minerals)
• Supplements can be frozen in ice cube trays or ice lolly moulds and then eaten like ice cream or sorbet
• Crushed ice can be added for a change in texture or use a blender
• Have the drinks slowly over about 20 minutes
• Clean your mouth more often to keep your mouth feeling fresh
• You shouldn’t need an additional vitamin supplement whilst on the liquid diet however if you do, your dietitian will advise you on a suitable preparation
• Make a chart so you can cross off your progress. Consider giving yourself a treat when you reach small targets e.g. a packet of stickers, nail varnish, magazine etc.

Some useful websites include:

Contact us

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or are finding things difficult.

Your dietitians are:

Reintroduction of foods following EEN

After six weeks your dietitian will advise you on re-introducing foods back into your diet. Once you are back on normal diet it can be beneficial to continue a maintenance dose of the nutritional drinks and your dietitian can advise you on this.

The aim is to re-introduce solid foods gradually over two weeks whilst reducing the amount of liquid feed you are drinking.

Food types and amounts:

• Initially only have foods which are low in fibre:
  – remove skins and pips from fruit and vegetables
  – choose white bread, pasta and rice instead of wholegrain
  – avoid nuts, beans and pulses
  – avoid high fibre breakfast cereal e.g. All Bran, Weetabix, porridge, Shredded Wheat
• Avoid foods that contain a lot of fat and spices e.g. fried foods, curries and takeaways
  Take time to eat your meals slowly and chew well
• Eat small, regular meals and snacks rather than be tempted to overeat

Suggested feed volume:

Days 1-4

Aim for ¾ of your usual volume of drinks/feed …… bottles per day

Days 5-8

Aim for ½ of your usual volume of drinks/feed …… bottles per day

Days 9-12

Aim for ¼ of your usual volume of drinks/feed …… bottles per day

Day 13 onwards

Normal diet + maintenance dose of 1-2 bottles per day

Suggested meal ideas at the start of food reintroduction