Short bowel syndrome

Short bowel syndrome occurs when a significant part of the small intestine is removed. The meaning of short bowel syndrome is therefore short bowel. The small intestine is an important part of the digestive process. It absorbs about 90% of the nutrients and fluids the body needs to function. The loss of part of the small intestine reduces the absorption area of ​​essential nutrients and fluids.

Causes of short bowel syndrome

Short bowel syndrome is usually caused by conditions that require the removal of part of the small intestine. Some children are born with an abnormally short small intestine or part of their intestine is missing. Infants and children respond differently to this and this mainly depends on how long the remaining small intestine is.

Symptoms of short bowel syndrome

Depending on how well the small intestine (still) works, short bowel syndrome can be accompanied by mild to severe symptoms. Children suffering from the disease are unable to absorb enough water, vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, calories and other nutrients from food they consume. This results in a host of symptoms, including:

• Diarrhea
• Weight loss or stunted growth
• Repeated vomiting
• Bloated feeling
• Cramps
• Fatigue

Other complications can occur as a result of short bowel syndrome, including:

• Dehydration
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Kidney stones or gallstones caused by abnormal absorption of calcium or bile
• Bacterial overgrowth (high levels of bacteria in the intestine)

Treatment of short bowel syndrome

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. It also depends on how long since your child had surgery to remove the small intestine.

After the operation, your child’s remaining intestine slowly adapts. Over time, the intestine can absorb nutrients better. How quickly this happens depends on how much and which part of the small intestine has been removed. Your child will probably be fed via an IV (parenteral) after the operation. This means that your child does not eat anything right away. Instead, your child receives nutrients through a tube placed in the vein.

As your child recovers, enteral (oral or tube) feeding can be slowly started. The aim is to eventually be able to eat normal meals. Your child will often need to eat small meals. Foods high in sugars, fats, proteins and fiber should be avoided. Your child may also need more calories than other children due to the loss of part of the intestine.

Other treatments for short bowel syndrome include medications and medical procedures aimed at reducing symptoms and helping the intestines to recover.

Medical nutrition for short bowel syndrome

Children with short bowel syndrome can be prescribed a diet based on amino acids by the doctor or dietician in the hospital. Foods based on amino acids are easier to digest, these are, as it were, pre-digested and help provide the necessary nutrients and help the intestines recover after surgery. These power supplies are for medical use and should be used under medical supervision.

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