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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Chronic relapsing immune-mediated inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, comprising Crohn's disease (transmural, anywhere from mouth to anus) and ulcerative colitis (mucosal, colon only).

Also: Crohn's disease, IBD, Ulcerative colitis

Pathogenesis involves genetic susceptibility (NOD2, ATG16L1, IL23R), environmental triggers (microbiota, smoking, NSAIDs, Western diet), and dysregulated immune response. Nutrition implications include malabsorption, protein-losing enteropathy, micronutrient deficits (B12 in ileal disease, iron, vitamin D, zinc), and increased energy requirement during flares. Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) achieves remission rates comparable to corticosteroids in pediatric Crohn's. Mediterranean and IBD-AID diets are being studied.

How each textbook covers it

  • Krause and Mahan's Food and the Nutrition Care Process, 16th ed. — Chapter 28

    Crohn disease can affect any GI segment in a transmural, skip-lesion pattern; ulcerative colitis is limited to colonic mucosa in a continuous distribution. Both cause weight loss, malabsorption, anemia, micronutrient deficiencies, and growth failure in children. MNT individualizes intake, addresses deficiencies (iron, B12, vitamin D, zinc), and may use exclusive enteral nutrition (especially in pediatric Crohn) or specific carbohydrate diets.

  • Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease, 12th ed. — Ch 80: Nutrition in IBD

    Pathogenesis involves genetic susceptibility (NOD2, ATG16L1, IL23R), environmental triggers (microbiota, smoking, NSAIDs, Western diet), and dysregulated immune response. Nutrition implications include malabsorption, protein-losing enteropathy, micronutrient deficits (B12 in ileal disease, iron, vitamin D, zinc), and increased energy requirement during flares. Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) achieves remission rates comparable to corticosteroids in pediatric Crohn's. Mediterranean and IBD-AID diets are being studied.

Related terms

Crohn Disease, Crohn's disease, EEN, Short-Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis, Ulcerative colitis