My son's Crohns has been treated through EN therapy. He was diagnosed in May with moderate Crohns in his TI and some areas in his colon and duodenum. His treatment was a week of IV flagyl and he then commenced six weeks of EN therapy through an NG tube. His only other medication was an antacid (Nexium). Once the six weeks ended, he reintroduced all foods over a 3 week period and has continued the EN therapy at half dose, 5 nights per week (during the day, he eats a regular diet). The only foods that have been eliminated from his diet are seeds, nuts, popcorn and limited fruit/veg skins (i.e. apple peels). His supplements are calcium, vit D and krill oil.
While his latest u/s and MRE still showed some mild inflammation, the EN therapy seems to be keeping it well controlled. Periodically, he has some random symptoms (constipation, fissures, etc.), so far, these have been shortlived and treatable with only 'home' remedies (i.e. prune juice, sitz baths).
EN has a comparable success rate at inducing remission to steroids in children (my son is 17), however, is not as successful at maintaining long term remission compared to other meds.
I also have a friend whose daughter (10 years old) has moderate-severe Crohns. (I may be missing some details but...) Last summer, she was quite sick, had lost weight, in pain, etc. She was diagnosed with an abscess, infection and possible perforation and doctors felt that surgery was her only option. She was fed through a picc line and given IV antibiotics at the hospital for approx 3 weeks (perhaps other meds were involved??). She was then sent home still with the IV antibiotics and was to attempt EN therapy for six weeks prior to surgery (I believe the reason was simply to try to alleviate some symptoms and build up her strength) but her GI was certain that this would not remove the necessity for surgery. However, somehow, ongoing tests during the six weeks showed that the abscess and infection were clearing up and the 'possible' perforation also disappeared. Once the six weeks ended, she began treatment with remicade. So far, she is doing very well and has had no need for surgery.
You can also find some additional info in the Enteral Nutrition thread in the Parents with kids w/IBD subform (
http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=22753).
Good luck :ysmile: