Mean final adult height showed a modest deficit compared with target height, but in one fifth of patients, final height was significantly less than target height. Earlier diagnosis and improved treatment of jejunal disease would be likely to improve final height.

No abstract

It seems likely that approximately 30-40% of linear growth impairment in experimental colitis occurs as a direct result of the inflammatory process which is independent of undernutrition. Inflammation acts principally at the hepatocyte/IGF-1 level to impair linear growth. Optimal growth in intestinal inflammation may only be achieved by a combination of nutritional intervention and anticytokine treatment.

Increased dietary consumption of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (20 : 5n-3; EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22 : 6n-6; DHA) is associated with their incorporation into circulating phospholipid and increased production of lipid peroxide metabolites. The relationship between peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) function, n-3 PUFA intake and antioxidant co-supplementation is poorly defined. We therefore investigated tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-a and interleukin (IL) 6 production by PBMC and phospholipid fatty acid composition in plasma and erythrocytes of healthy male subjects (n 16) receiving supplemental intakes of 0·3, 1·0 and 2·0 g EPA þ DHA/d, as consecutive 4-week courses. All subjects were randomised in a double-blind manner to receive a concurrent antioxidant supplement (200 mg Se, 3 mg Mn, 30 mg D-a-tocopheryl succinate, 90 mg ascorbic acid, 450 mg vitamin A (b-carotene and retinol)) or placebo. There was a positive dose-dependent relationship between dietary n-3 PUFA intake and EPA and DHA incorporation into plasma phosphatidylcholine and erythrocyte phosphatidylethanolamine, with a tendency towards a plateau at higher levels of intake. Production of TNF-a and IL-6 by PBMC decreased with increasing n-3 PUFA intake but tended towards a 'Ushaped' dose response. Both responses appeared to be augmented by antioxidant co-supplementation at intermediate supplementary n-3 PUFA intakes. Thus, increased dietary n-3 PUFA consumption resulted in defined but contrasting patterns of modulation of phospholipid fatty acid composition and PBMC function, which were further influenced by antioxidant intake.Fish oil: Antioxidants: Tumour necrosis factor-a: Interleukin 6

tion not only relieves jaundice and pruritus in these patients but also improves other symptoms and quality of life. The considerable improvement in appetite after stenting was of particular benefit.