Short bowel syndrome happens when the small bowel (intestine) is too short. It can't fully absorb enough of the nutrients that kids need to grow, like water, protein, fat, and sugar. Food that isn’t fully absorbed stays in the intestine and can cause diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration, malnourishment, and other problems.
Children with short bowel syndrome often need to get parenteral nutrition to help them grow. This is nutrition given through a special IV into a vein.
The most common symptoms of short bowel syndrome are:
Short bowel syndrome can happen when a child's intestine is injured and doctors remove part of it in surgery.
Diseases and conditions that can injure the intestine this way include:
Usually short bowel develops because of an emergency while a baby or child is in the hospital. Your doctor will talk with you about the diagnosis and treatment plan before sending your child home.
Children with short bowel syndrome will need regular follow-up medical care. During these visits, the doctor will ask questions, take a medical history, and do an exam.
The doctor might also order blood tests and imaging tests (X-rays or computerized tomography (CT).
Treatment for short bowel syndrome depends on how severe the condition is. It will be different for every child, and could involve a combination of:
A specialized team cares for children with short bowel syndrome. Usually the team includes:
Be sure to take your child to all regular checkups. The doctor will talk with you about many things, including your child’s growth, diet, and overall development.
Reviewed by: Abigail E. Martin, MD
Date Reviewed: Dec 10, 2020
