Partial Enteral Nutrition (PEN)

Partial Enteral Nutrition uses a combination of liquid nutrition and solid foods. It is generally used for maintenance of remission after completing Exclusive Enteral Nutrition. The proportion of solid food is gradually increased until an optimal ratio of food/liquid nutrition is achieved for maintaining remission. The ongoing use of PEN may prolong remission, delay the need for steroids, lead to growth and better nutrition, and be helpful in children experiencing pubertal delay (Critch J et al on Behalf of the NASPGHAN IBD Committee). Partial Enteral Nutrition using more than 900 kcal/day was recently noted to independently lower the rate of surgical recurrence (Shinozaki M et al).