Reducing pancreatic enzyme dose does not compromise growth in cystic fibrosis

Background: Reports linking high pancreatic enzyme dosages with bowel stric turing in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) led us to review our policy fo r pancreatic enzyme supplementation. Methods: Twenty-five prepubertal children with CF, aged 3-10 years, underwe nt a programme of pancreatin reduction. They were encouraged to decrease th eir enzyme intake by matching their pancreatin dose more closely to fat int ake. Patients were reviewed at regular intervals by a paediatric dietician who promoted nutrition aiming for an energy intake of 120-150% of the estim ated average requirement (EAR) and > 120% of the upper reference nutrient i ntake (URNI) for protein. Growth during the 12 months prior to enzyme restr iction was compared with the subsequent year's growth. Results: The initial mean pancreatin dose of 26 446 uLipase kg(-1) day(-1) (range 7305-53 088) was reduced to 12 583 uLipase kg(-1) day(-1) (range 470 5-32 051). Growth was sustained on the lower enzyme dose (mean height veloc ity: 5.75 +/- 1.1 cm yr(-1) vs. 6.12 +/- 1.4 cm yr(-1), P > 0.05). There wa s a small but significant improvement in mean weight gain post pancreatin r eduction (3.14 +/- 1.5 kg yr(-1)) compared with the preceding year (2.12 +/ - 1.1 kg yr(-1), P < 0.01). Nutritional analysis, including a 3-day food di ary and measurement of nutritional indices, showed that energy, protein and micronutrient intakes were maintained. Children were not forced to alter t heir intake of dietary fat by the reduction in pancreatin dose. Conclusions: A substantial reduction in pancreatin dosage-can be achieved w ithout an adverse effect on either growth or nutrition.