Category Archives: Pediatric Gastroenterology Intestinal Disorder

Rare Tragic Reaction to Infliximab

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A recent post on the pediatric GI Listserv pointed out a troubling case report: “Fatal Central Nervous System Disease Following First Infliximab Infusion in a Child With Inflammatory Bowel Disease,” FM. Baumer et al; Pediatric Neurology 2016; 57: 91-94.

“A seven-year-old boy diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis received infliximab. Six hours following his uneventful infusion, he awoke with headache and emesis and rapidly became obtunded…Cranial computed tomography revealed hypodense lesions in the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, and pons accompanied by hemorrhage…Within four days he met criteria for brain death.”

The authors note that “the close temporal association between our patient’s presentation and the infliximab infusion raises concern for a drug-related cause for his cerebral injury.” While this case report is terribly sad, severe and fatal reactions can unfortunately be encountered with a wide range of medications, including commonly used antibiotics.

My take: Thus, while the vast majority of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease will benefit from infliximab therapy, there are rare tragic outcomes.  img_3954

 

Gastrojejunostomy Complications Frequent

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Gastrojejnostomy (GJ) placement allows enteral feeds to bypass the stomach.  When a gastrostomy is already in place, GJ placement may allow patients to avoid surgery (eg. fundoplication).  Most practitioners would consider the risk of GJ placement to be low, but a recent report (J Moorse et al. JPS 2017; http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2017.01.026) suggests that it is higher than expected.  The abstract and link are below.

Link: Gastrojejunostomy tube complications — A single center experience and systematic review

Abstract

Purpose

Gastrojejunostomy tubes (GJTs) enable enteral nutrition in infants/children with feeding intolerance. However, complications may be increased in small infants. We evaluated our single-institution GJT complication rate and systematically reviewed existing literature.

Methods

With REB approval, a retrospective single-institution analysis of GJT placements between 2009 and 2015 was performed. For the systematic review, MOOSE guidelines were followed.

Results

At our institution, 48 children underwent 154/159 successful insertions primarily for gastroesophageal reflux (n = 27; 55%) and aspiration (n = 11; 23%). Median age at first GJT insertion was 2.2 years (0.2–18). Thirty-five (73%) had an index insertion when ≤10 kg. GJTs caused 2 perforations and 1 death. The systematic review assessed 48 articles representing 2726 procedures. Overall perforation rate was estimated as 2.1% (n = 36 studies, 23/1092, 95% CI: 1.0–3.2). Perforation rates in children <10 kg versus ≥10 kg were estimated as 3.1%/procedure (95% CI: 1.1%–5.0%) and 0.1%/procedure (95% CI: 0%–0.3%), respectively. The relative risk of perforation was 9.4 (95% CI: 2.8–31.3). Overall mortality was estimated as 0.9%/patient (n = 39 studies; 95% CI: 0.2–1.6%). Most perforations (19/23; 83%) occurred ≤30 days of attempted tube placement.

Conclusion

Gastrojejunostomy tubes are associated with significant complications and frequently require revision/replacement. Insertion in patients <10 kg is associated with increased perforation risk. Caution is warranted in this subgroup.

With regard to the methodology

  • ~90% of the procedures were performed by interventional radiology and the interventionist had a median of 6.6 years of experience
  • Most GJs were 16 French in width and most were either 15 cm or 22 cm in length

My take: This report highlights the significant risks associated with GJ placement, particularly in smaller patients (<10 kg).  Despite these risks, GJ placement is often the safest option.

Costa Maya, Mexico

Costa Maya, Mexico

 

Expert Advice on Clostridium difficile and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology Volume 15, Issue 2, February 2017, Pages 166–174.

Link: Management of Clostridium difficile Infection in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Expert Review from the Clinical Practice Updates Committee of the AGA Institute

Abstract: The purpose of this expert review is to synthesize the existing evidence on the management of Clostridium difficile infection in patients with underlying inflammatory bowel disease. The evidence reviewed in this article is a summation of relevant scientific publications, expert opinion statements, and current practice guidelines. This review is a summary of expert opinion in the field without a formal systematic review of evidence.

Best Practice Advice 1: Clinicians should test patients who present with a flare of underlying inflammatory bowel disease for Clostridium difficile infection.

Best Practice Advice 2: Clinicians should screen for recurrent C difficile infection if diarrhea or other symptoms of colitis persist or return after antibiotic treatment for C difficile infection.

Best Practice Advice 3: Clinicians should consider treating C difficile infection in inflammatory bowel disease patients with vancomycin instead of metronidazole.

Best Practice Advice 4: Clinicians strongly should consider hospitalization for close monitoring and aggressive management for inflammatory bowel disease patients with C difficile infection who have profuse diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, a markedly increased peripheral blood leukocyte count, or other evidence of sepsis.

Best Practice Advice 5: Clinicians may postpone escalation of steroids and other immunosuppression agents during acute C difficile infection until therapy for C difficile infection has been initiated. However, the decision to withhold or continue immunosuppression in inflammatory bowel disease patients with C difficile infection should be individualized because there is insufficient existing robust literature on which to develop firm recommendations.

Best Practice Advice 6: Clinicians should offer a referral for fecal microbiota transplantation to inflammatory bowel disease patients with recurrent C difficile infection.

 

Related blog posts:

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Patterns and Puzzles with Very Early Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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A recent review (S Chandrakasan, S Venkateswaran, S Kugathasan [corrresponding author]. Pediatr Clin N Am 2017; 64: 139-160) provides a surprisingly easy read on very early onset (VEO) inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Thanks to Kathleen McNamara for sharing).  Because of the myriad of genetic defects (>50 monogenetic defects), the topic of VEO-IBD can be quite confusing.  The authors of this summary make a number of key points.

  • VEO-IBD is increasing in incidence
  • Many patients with VEO-IBD have an underlying primary immune defect.  Identification of these underlying disorders may allow targeted therapy.
  • In some patients, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation could result in definitive cure
  • VEO features: more often involves colon and often severe course with poor response to conventional immunosuppressives

Besides idiopathic IBD, the differential can be subdivided into subgroups:

  • T-cell defects (IPEX and IPEX-like) (gene defects: FOXP3, LRBA CTLA4, STAT1, STAT3, STAT5B, CD25, CTLA4, )
  • Defects in IL-10 signaling (IL10RA, IL10RB, IL-10)
  • Hyperinflammtory/autoinflammatory disorders (XIAP/SAP (BIRC4), Mevalonate kinase deficiency (MVK), PLCG2, Familial Mediterranean Fever, Familial HLH Type 5: STXBP2, Hermansky-Pudlak: HPS1, HPS4, HPS6)
  • Defects in neutrophil function/phagoycte function (chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) genes: CYBB, CYBA, NCF1, NCF2, NCF4,, Leukocyte Adhesion Defect (LAD) ITGB2, GSD type 1bSLC37A4, congenital neutropenia G6PC3)
  • Epithelial barrier defect (X-linked ectodermal dysplasia and immunodeficiency (NEMO), TTC7A, ADAM17, dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (COL7a1), Kindler syndrome (FERMT1), mutations in guanylate cyclase c, telomere biology defects like  DKC and RTEL1 )
  • T/B cell defects (X-linked agammaglobulin (BTK), SCID/Omenn (RAG1, RAG2, IL-7Ra, IL-2RG), CVID, IL21, Wiskott-Aldrich (WAS) HIES, HIMS)

The authors provide some vignettes of a typical presentation of each subset along with some commentary.  For example, with T-cell defects: “mutations in FOXP3 result in either absent or decreased Treg cell numbers or a qualitative defect…results in broader immune dysregulation, resulting in multisystem autoimmunity with autoimmune endocrinopathy, autoimmune cytopenia, autoimmune hepatitis, and severe eczema.”  Other IPEX-like mutations include gain of function in STAT-1/STAT-3, LRBA deficiency, and CTLA-4 haploinsufficiency.

The authors recommend an initial immune evaluation in VEO-IBD:

  • CBC
  • peripheral smear evaluation
  • immunoglobulin levels, lymphocyte subsets with T-cell
  • B-cell, and NK-cell enumeration
  • CD45RA/RO enumeration and B-cell panel for class-switched memory B cells
  • neutrophil oxidative burst
  • T regulatory cell (CD4+CD25+FOXP3+) cell enumeration.

Due to the increasing complexity of the immune evaluation, the necessity of a pediatric immunologist is apparent.  In addition, the role of genetic panels that test for all of these disorders simultaneously is becoming routine.  Genetic testing can help improve diagnosis and allow for early targeted intervention.  With the emergence of new defects, selecting the right lab with an up-to-date panel is another caveat.

Examples of targeted therapies include the potential role of anakinra for CGD, abatacept for LRBA deficiency, toclizumab (IL-6 receptor blocking antibody) for STAT3 gain-of-function mutation, and sirolimus for Treg disorders.  Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an established therapy for IL-10 signaling defects.

My take: Collaboration with immunology is an important consideration in young children with IBD.

Related blog posts:

Disclaimer: These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.

I liked this t-shirt

I liked this t-shirt

Nutrition Week (Day 7) Connecting Epidemiology and Diet in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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A supplement in Gastroenterology (2017; 152: 309-462) provides a great update on a lot of topics.  These include pathophysiology articles (eg. role of Paneth cell, role of microbiome), treatment/development of fibrosis, management advances in endoscopy and biomarkers, newest treatments and emerging treatments, complementary medicine approaches, pain/psychology issues, medications in pregnancy, and detecting dysplasia.

For me, the update on epidemiology and its relationship to diet (pgs 313-321) as well as the review on diet as a trigger or therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (398-414) were most interesting.  Though, I will keep the update on complementary and alternative medicines article at my desk in case questions come about this topic

GG Kaplan, SC Ng. “Understanding and Preventing the Global Increase of Inflammatory Bowel Disease”  Gastroenterology 2017; 152: 313-321

Epidemiology:

1st case of ulcerative colitis was reported in 1859.  !st cases of Crohn’s disease reported in 1932 (BB Crohn et al. JAMA 1932; 99: 1323-29).

Olmstead County, Minnesota –cases per 100,000:

  • 1965: 28
  • 1980: 90.5
  • 1991: 132.7
  • 2001: 213.9
  • 2011: 246.7

While rates of IBD have “shown signs of stabilization…pediatric-onset IBD continues to increase steadily in incidence.”

IBD Around the World –cases per 100,000:

  • 2005 Japan: 76
  • 2005 S Korea: 42
  • 2013 India: 9.3
  • 2013 China: 3.3.  The greatest incidence is noted in areas of increased urbanization and economic advancement.
  • 2005: Brazil: 9.7

Environmental factors/associations:

  • Cigarette smoking –increases risk of Crohn’s disease in Western countries, and has protective effect against Ulcerative colitis
  • Antibiotic use –increases risk of IBD in Western countries, but may be protective in developing countries.  “Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis may not develop as easily in developing countries, owing to ubiquitous exposure to a diverse range of microbiota that rapidly repopulate the intestinal tract.”
  • Breastfeeding –protects against developing IBD
  • Vitamin D –low levels increase risk of IBD in Caucasians.
  • Fiber –a “diet high in fiber protects against Crohn’s disease.”

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JD Lewis, MT Abreu.”Diet as a Trigger or Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease”  Gastroenterology 2017; 152: 398-414.

“The most common question asked by patient is …’Doctor, what should I eat?'”

Key points:

  • Data from studies of immigrants to higher-IBD prevalence countries show an increasing incidence of IBD, leading to the hypothesis that environmental factors such as diet affect risk of IBD.
  • In early life, breast milk, in some but not all studies, has been associated with a lower risk of childhood-onset IBD.
  • Before development of IBD, studies have shown lower risk of IBD “among people who consume more fruits and vegetables, and a higher risk in people who consume less of these and more animal fats and sugar.”
  • “There is little information about which foods induce flares.” However, for UC, “a high intake of meat, especially red and processed meat, protein, alcoholic beverages, sulfur, and sulfate increased the likelihood of a flare” based on food questionnaires.  In patients with CD, diet with higher “total fat, saturated fat, monounsaturated fatty acids, and a higher ratio of omega-6:omega-3 PUFAs was associated with disease relapses.”
  • “Only approximately half of patients have ever received advice from a dietitian.”
  • Oral iron may trigger flares in a small percentage of patients with IBD.  The authors note that adherent E coli express genes for iron acquisition and require iron for growth.

Specific Diets/Additives:  Most of these diets have been discussed in previous posts, including:

Exclusive (and Partial) Enteral Nutrition:

  • “The most widely studied dietary intervention.” It has been shown to be effective for CD.  More elemental formulas have NOT been shown to be more effective.  “EEN and PEN therapy is less likely to normalize fecal levels of calprotectin in children.”
  • “Dietary therapy reduced inflammation and led to changes in the microbiome within 1 week. Unlike TNF antagonists, however, the changes to the microbiome induced by EEN did not lead to a microbiome resembling that of healthy individuals.”

Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD):

  • This diet has been studied in small populations.  Suskind et al reported SCD effectiveness “in 7 children with CD…showed that fecal calprotectin level decreased from a mean of 685 mcg/g to 213 mcg/g at 2-6 after starting the diet.”  “Cohen et al used video capsule endoscopy…in 10 children with CD…Four of 10 children achieved complete mucosal healing (Lewis score <135) and 6 of 10 children achieved clinical remission.”

Low FODMAP diet:

  • While the diet may induce symptom improvement, there is no “evidence that a low FODMAP diet reduces inflammation.”

Vitamin D supplementation:

  • “Vitamin D has multiple potential beneficial effects on intestinal inflammation.” The authors review studies that report lower risk of CD in patients with higher vitamin D levels and on the reduction in relapse in a study of CD patients who were in remission and  treated with Vitamin D (1200 IU daily)

Curcumin supplementation:

  • The authors review two small studies which suggested that curcumin for patients with ulcerative colitis increased clinical remission (when used with mesalamine)

The overall advice the authors give is that patients “should be advised to eat a well-balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean-style diet, avoiding processed foods or foods that they self-identify as worsening their symptoms.  Patients who are committed to attempting to manage their disease predominantly through dietary modification should be counseled about the importance of assessing for resolution of inflammation in addition to symptoms.”

Other Related blog posts:

Disclaimer: These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications/diets (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician/nutritionist.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.

Here we go again …Miralax Safety Questioned

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The issue of miralax safety is something that is discussed on a daily basis in pediatric gastroenterology offices.  It is back in the news.  The headlines suggest that there could be a problem but when one examines these stories we find that these reports have NOT shown data indicating a safety concern.

Here’s a link to a NASPGHAN Neurogastroenterology statement on safety of Miralax:

Here’s a link to a recent article in AJC questioning the safety of Miralax:

In this article, “the FDA told WPVI that there isn’t enough data “to demonstrate a link between PEG 3350 and serious neuropsychiatric issues in children.”

Bayer, MiraLAX’s manufacturer, said in part: “As part of Bayer’s ongoing commitment to consumer well-being, we regularly track, analyze and report all adverse event data related to the use of the product. Results of this ongoing monitoring support the continued safe use of MiraLAX.”

In a 2015 article on Parents.com, Dr. Steve J. Hodges, an associate professor of pediatric urology at the Wake Forest School of Medicine, pointed out that “more than 100 studies have found PEG 3350 is safe to use in children.”

“I have found no published studies linking MiraLAX to severe or harmful side-effects,” said Hodges, who was responding to a New York Times article about the Philadelphia study.”

Here’s a few other posts on Miralax safety:

Related blog posts:

My take (borrowed from expert review): “Generally speaking, if your child has been prescribed PEG 3350 as part of his/her treatment plan, and you feel this medicine provides benefit, you should feel safe continuing PEG 3350. At this time, PEG 3350 appears to be safe based on current medical literature. We recommend discussing any concerns you have about the safety of PEG 3350 with your child’s health care provider. If you would prefer for your child to stop taking PEG 3350, discuss other treatments options with your child’s health care team before stopping PEG 3350 therapy. Although abruptly stopping PEG 3350 is not considered dangerous, it could lead to a relapse/worsening of constipation.”

From 'this week in church signs'

From ‘this week in church signs’

Nutrition Week (Day 3) Multidisciplinary Feeding Disorders

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A recent systematic review/meta-analysis (WG Sharp, VM Volkert, L Scahill, CE McCracken, B McElhanon. J Pediatr 2017; 181: 116-24) by my colleagues at the Marcus Center and Emory indicate that intensive, multidisciplinary treatment for pediatric feeding disorders is a game-changer.

The authors identified 11 studies with 593 patients.

Key finding: After intensive intervention, 71% were successfully weaned off tube feedings at the completion of the intervention and this improved to 80% at last followup. Treatment was also associated with increased oral intake, improved mealtime behaviors, and reduced parenting stress.

Based on the results of their review/meta-analysis, the authors provide a summary of recommendations for “standard of care at intensive day and inpatient programs.”  This lists the professional team which should involve at a minimum: psychology, medicine, nutrition, and speech language/occupational therapy.  Treatment needs active participation of caregivers so that gains will not be lost when intensive treatment is completed. Behavioral intervention is central to success.

In an associated editorial (pg 7-8), the authors (RJ Noel, AH Silverman) explain that the one of the biggest hurdles for intensive treatment is gaining approval from insurance companies. One key point they make: “Their work provides data that will be very useful towards advocacy and improving patient access to such treatment.”

My take: This study provides justification of intensive feeding programs.  That being said, the individuals/programs with the appropriate expertise to achieve these results remain quite limited.

Related blog entries:

A few more slides from my recent PNALD/IFLAD lecture:

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The other subjects discussed for PNALD treatment included management of bacterial overgrowth, possible role of STEP surgery, and lipid management strategies.

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Nutrition Week (Day 2) SMOFlipid

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With newer lipid emulsions, there is the potential to give more lipids and have less liver injury.  A recent report by Diamond et al (JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2016 Feb 2. pii: 014860711562692) provides some of the best data for the use of SMOFlipid in infants: Preventing the Progression of Intestinal Failure-Associated Liver Disease in Infants Using a Composite Lipid Emulsion: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of SMOFlipid.

Here’s the abstract: and afterwards some slides from a recent lecture that I gave regarding parenteral nutrition associated liver disease (and intestinal failure associated liver disease):

BACKGROUND:

To examine whether SMOFlipid prevents progression of intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) in parenteral nutrition (PN)-dependent infants with early IFALD (conjugated bilirubin 17-50 µmol/L, 1-3 mg/dL).

STUDY DESIGN:

Pilot multicenter blinded randomized controlled trial comparing SMOFlipid with Intralipid. Patients received the trial lipid for up to 12 weeks, unless they achieved full enteral tolerance sooner. The primary clinical outcome was the serum conjugated bilirubin.

RESULTS:

Twenty-four infants (mean age, 6 weeks) participated in the trial (13 Intralipid and 11 SMOFlipid). At the time of trial enrollment, patients in both groups were receiving 90% of their calories by PN. Mean duration on trial was 8 weeks and did not differ according to treatment (P = .99). At trial conclusion, patients who received SMOFlipid had a lower conjugated bilirubin than those who received Intralipid (mean difference, -59 µmol/L; P = .03). Patients receiving SMOFlipid were also more likely to have a decrease in serum conjugated bilirubin to 0 µmol/L than those in the Intralipid group over the entire observation period (hazard ratio, 10.6; 95%; P = .03). The time to achievement of full enteral tolerance did not differ statistically (hazard ratio, 1.3; P = .59) between the groups. There was no significant difference in safety outcomes between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Compared with Intralipid, SMOFlipid reduces the risk of progressive IFALD in children with intestinal failure. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00793195.

Here are a few more slides from my recent lecture on PNALD/IFALD:

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The above slide was borrowed from a talk by Dr. Conrad Cole on short bowel syndrome (available online via the Pediatric Nutritionist blog).

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Related blog posts:

 

Support for Step-Up Therapy and Thiopurines

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A retrospective study (H Bar-Yoseph et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 15: 69-75) indicated that thiopurine use before infliximab (IFX) was associated with the prevention of antidrug antibody formation in patients with Crohn’s disease.

The authors had 207 eligible patients which included 93 who received IFX monotherapy, 52 who received combination therapy after response to thiopurine, 34 who received IFX after lack of response to thiopurines (but continued with combination treatment), and 28 who received de novo combination therapy.  The total number of patients followed in these centers is much higher, but they excluded those with episodic infusions and for other reasons that could affect their conclusions.

Key findings:

  • Prior thiopurine therapy was associated with lower antidrug antibodies (ADA). At 1 year, past thiopurine responders had 19.3% ADA, past thiopurine failures had 16.1% ADA; both were much lower that the monotherapy rate of 46.6%  The de novo combination group had a rate of 21.9% which did not reach significance.
  • Interestingly, after the first 5 months, the de novo combination group did not develop further ADA but during the first 5 months the rate of ADA was quite similar to the monotherapy rate. This could be related to the notion that thiopurines may take 3-6 months to achieve full effect.
  • Combination therapy (compiled)  was associated with higher rates of clinical remission (58.8% vs 40.9%) and lower rates of active disease (8.8% vs. 21.5%).

Overall, this study showed high rates of ADA compared to many studies but the conclusions are similar to other published studies.  It could be that many of those with positive ADA were lower antibody levels and that many of these levels may not be clinically significant. The study has limitations mainly related to being a retrospective study.

My take: This study supports the following:

  1. Combination therapy is more effective than monotherapy
  2. Using an immunomodulator before starting infliximab may reduce ADA formation more effectively than starting combination therapy de novo.

Related blog posts:

Disclaimer: These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing/usage of medications (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.

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Nutrition in Immune Balance -New Website for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Dr. David Suskind and colleagues have developed a website which provides a great deal of information regarding nutritional therapy, particularly the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), and inflammatory bowel disease.  The website also facilitates contributions to Seattle Children’s Hospital and buying a book on the SCD.

Here’s a link to website: NIMBAL.org

Related blog posts:

Near Shem Creek, SC

Near Shem Creek, SC