Mucosal healing (MH) is the main therapeutic goal of Crohn's disease (CD). The Mucosal Inflammation Noninvasive Index (MINI) appears to be a promising tool for distinguishing MH from its inflammation. This study aims to evaluate MINI in monitoring remissions induced by exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) in pediatric CD patients. Out of 55 newly diagnosed CD children, 31 who completed 6-8 weeks of EEN were analyzed. Clinical and biochemical data, activity of CD assessed with the Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index (PCDAI) and MINI were compared within seven days pre- and post-EEN. Response to induction therapy was defined as a decrease of PCDAI by >12.5 points. The follow-up was performed up to 12 months after EEN termination. Out of 31 children who completed 6-8 weeks of EEN, eight required corticosteroids in addition to EEN. Twenty-four patients (77%) responded to induction therapy. In responders, MINI decreased from 19 (Q1:17; Q3:22) to 12 (Q1:6; Q3:14), p < 0.001. The diagnostic accuracy of post-EEN MINI and post-EEN fecal calprotectin (FC) for treatment failure were AUC: 0.899 (95%CI: 0.737-1.000) and 0.762 (95%CI: 0.570-0.954), respectively. In the follow-up of 25 patients (80.6%), the post-EEN MINI of ≥13 points predicted CD relapse (87.5% sensitivity; 64.7% specificity), while FC had no prognostic value. MINI allows for monitoring of EEN and is superior in predicting disease relapse to FC.
Keywords: Crohn’s disease; exclusive enteral nutrition; fecal calprotectin; pediatrics.