Growth problems often occur in children who suffer from a number of gastrointestinal disorders, including Crohn’s disease. Children with Crohn’s tend to be comparably smaller than their peers and often weigh less than normal for children their age.
Just as Crohn’s interferes with the absorption of necessary nutrients in adults, it inhibits the absorption of nutrients in children at a time when diet and nutrition are having their most significant impact on growth — specifically height and bone length — and development, including sexual development. The lack of nutrients along with caloric deficiencies can cause a slowing of the growth process and tendency to be underweight. In more severe cases, children may require intravenous feedings of nutrients such as total parenteral nutrition (TPN). TPN is a mixture of glucose, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.
It is important to remember that hormonal disturbances may also cause growth problems in children. However, the growth problems experienced by children with Crohn’s disease are not connected to hormonal disturbances. A physician will determine the cause of growth problems once an accurate diagnosis of Crohn’s disease is made.
Parents can help their children combat weight shortages and slow growth with a nutrient-rich diet. Physicians may also suggest vitamins and nutritional supplements, particularly the kind that are not low calorie, since weight maintenance for a child with Crohn’s disease often means keeping weight on, not taking it off.
Tips for growth-friendly nutrition
If your child has Crohn’s disease, be sure to work with his or her gastroenterologist to establish an effective eating plan that will provide the necessary nutrients and nourishment to maintain health, strength, and growth, as well as keep Crohn’s symptoms under control.
Generally, a growth-friendly diet is one that includes:
Three meals a day, plus several healthy snacks each day.
A source of protein, such as fish, chicken, meat, eggs, cheese, or tofu, at each meal.
Milk products since they are good sources of protein, calories, and minerals. This should be done with discretion, as some children with Crohn’s may be lactose intolerant. If that is the case, you may purchase Lactaid drops at your local pharmacy and add the drops to whole milk. You may also purchase Lactaid milk. Yogurt contains less lactose than milk, and hard cheeses are even lower in lactose and may be more tolerable.
If your child is on a lactose-free diet, you may substitute dairy for soy products such as soy yogurt, soy milk, and soy-based ice cream
Fat sources such as nuts, peanut butter, canola oil, butter, and margarine. While some children have difficulty tolerating a lot of fat in their diet, it is important to maintain some fats for the purposes of maintaining energy and caloric intake.
Keep your child on a regimen of vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements as directed by his or her physician.
