Dig. Liv. Dis. 2002; 34 ( Suppl 1 ) : A82.
Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in pediatric Crohn's disease : Italian multicentric
study.
Romano C, Cucchiara S, Barabino A, Roggero P, Sferlazzas C, Annese V.
Ospedali Riuniti, Reggio Calabria; Università La Sapienza, Roma; Istituto Gaslini, Genova;
Università di Milano; Università di Messina; Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, S.Giovanni Rotondo.
Eicosanoids, arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites, are involved in the process causing tissue
injury in Crohn’s disease (CD).
AIM : To assess in patients with CD in remission whether omega-3 supplementation is of value
in maintaining remission of the disease and improving nutritional status.
METHOD : a double blind randomised study in 70 patients ( age range : 5- 18 years ) with
CD in remission ( PCDAI < 20 for least 2 months ). Patients were randomised in two groups
and treated for 12 months : group I ( 35 patients ) receiving omega-3 as triglycerides in
gastroresistant capsules, 3 g / die ( EPA 400 mg / g - DHA 200 mg / g ) + Mesalazine
( 50 mg / Kg / die ); group II ( 35 patients ) receiving Mesalazine ( 50 mg / Kg / die ) + olive
oil placebo capsules.
RESULTS : the number of patients relapsed at 1 year was significantly lower in group I
( 7 / 35 - 20 % ) than in group II ( 22 / 35 - 62.9 % ) ( p < 0.01 ). The PCDAI at 1 year was
markedly lower in group 1( 10 ± 2 ) than group II ( 30 ± 2 ) ( p < 0.01 ).
CONCLUSION : in children with CD, enteric coated omega-3 fatty acids in addition to
Mesalazine are effective in maintaining remission of the disease and in improving the nutritional
status. Omega-3 fatty acids should be included into the therapeutic options for chronic treatment
of CD in childhood.
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