Safety and efficacy of Creon® micro in children with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency due to cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Background: Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is the foundation of nutritional management for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).

Methods: A 3-month, open-label, multicentre study in Russia assessing safety, efficacy, and ease-of-use of Creon(®) Micro (5000 lipase units/spoon) in children aged 1 month to <4 years with EPI due to cystic fibrosis. Efficacy assessments included growth parameters.

Results: All 40 subjects (mean age 26.5 months) completed treatment. Adverse events occurred in 40% of the subjects (most commonly respiratory tract infection [15%], frequent bowel movements [8%], rhinitis, stomatitis, nasopharyngitis, and diarrhoea [all 5%]), none were serious or led to discontinuation. After 3 months, mean±SD increases from baseline z-scores were height/length-for-age 0.13±0.48, weight-for-age 0.20±0.39, and BMI-for-age 0.29±0.65. Treatment was rated 'easy' to administer by 95% caregivers and acceptance 'good'/'very good' by 90%.

Conclusions: Creon Micro was well tolerated. Growth development parameters increased over the 3-month treatment period. Treatment was considered easy to use and acceptance was good.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01747330.

Keywords: Clinical trial; Creon; Cystic fibrosis; Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency; Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy; Pancreatin.