Learn About Short Bowel Syndrome
Short bowel syndrome is a problem that occurs when part of the small intestine is missing or has been removed during surgery. Nutrients are not properly absorbed into the body as a result.
Small intestine insufficiency; Short gut syndrome; Necrotizing enterocolitis - short bowel
The small intestine absorbs much of the nutrients found in foods we eat. When two-thirds or more of the small intestine is missing, the body may not absorb enough food to stay healthy and maintain your weight.
Some infants are born missing part or much of their small intestine.
More often, short bowel syndrome occurs because much of the small intestine is removed during surgery. This type of surgery may be needed:
- After gunshots or other trauma damaged the intestines
- For someone with severe Crohn disease
- For infants, often born too early, when part of their intestines dies
- When blood flow to the small intestine is reduced due to blood clots or narrowed arteries
Symptoms may include:
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Pale, greasy stools
- Swelling (edema), especially of the legs
- Very foul-smelling stools
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and ensuring the body receives enough hydration and nutrients.
A high-calorie diet that supplies:
- Key vitamins and minerals, such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12
- Enough carbohydrates, proteins, and fats
If needed, injections of some vitamins and minerals or special growth factors will be given.
Medicines to slow down the normal movement of the intestine can be tried. This may allow food to remain in the intestine longer. Medicines to lower the amount of stomach acid may also be needed.
If the body is not able to absorb enough nutrients, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is tried. It will help you or your child get nutrition from a special formula through a vein in the body. Your health care provider will select the right amount of calories and TPN solution. Sometimes, you can also eat and drink while getting nutrition from TPN.
Small bowel transplantation is an option in some cases.
A medicine called teduglutide is available to help the bowel adjust to the shorted intestine. It helps in specific situations. Ask your provider if it might help you.
Antonino Morabito practices in Florence, Italy. Morabito is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome. Their top areas of expertise are Short Bowel Syndrome, Atresia of Small Intestine, Lung Cancer, Ileostomy, and Gastrostomy.
Asklepios Hospital St. Georg
Ulrich-frank Pape practices in St. Georg, Germany. Pape is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome. Their top areas of expertise are Short Bowel Syndrome, Neuroendocrine Tumor, Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumor, Appendectomy, and Endoscopy.
Liver And Intestine Transplant At Pediatric Gastroenterology In Lawrenceville
Simon Horslen, MBChB, FRCPCH, is a pediatric hepatologist and transplant physician and is certified in General Pediatrics and Gastroenterology by the Medical Royal Colleges in the United Kingdom. He is director of Pediatric Hepatology at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and is a professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Dr. Horslen earned his medical degree at the University of Bristol Medical School in England and is a fellow and founding member of the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (UK). He is a fellow of the American Society of Transplantation and of the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease. Dr. Horslen has worked in the United States for the last 23 years, initially at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE, and subsequently at Seattle Children’s in Seattle, WA as director of Hepatology and medical director of Solid Organ Transplantation. His clinical and research interests include pediatric liver disease, acute liver failure, and liver and intestine transplantation. He has over 150 publications in the areas of pediatric liver disease, intestinal failure, and transplantation and participates in several multicenter studies. Dr. Horslen lives in Edgeworth with his wife, Sarah. He has two adult children who continue to live in the Pacific Northwest. He is an avid soccer fan, likes to play golf when his busy schedule allows, and is a woodturner and particularly enjoys making bowls on his lathe. View the full list of Dr. Horslen’s publications on PubMed. LGBTQIA+ Affirming: This provider has completed training on how to create a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ patients. This provider may or may not offer LGBTQIA+ specific medical or surgical care. Please ask when scheduling. Dr. Horslen is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome. His top areas of expertise are Short Bowel Syndrome, Cholestasis, Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 1, Alagille Syndrome, and Liver Transplant.
The condition may improve over time if it is due to surgery. Nutrient absorption may slowly get better.
Complications may include:
- Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine
- Nervous system problems caused by a lack of vitamin B12 (This problem can be treated with vitamin B12 injections.)
- Too much acid in the blood (metabolic acidosis due to diarrhea)
- Gallstones
- Kidney stones
- Dehydration
- Malnutrition
- Weakened bones (osteomalacia)
- Weight loss
Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of short bowel syndrome, especially after you have had bowel surgery.
Summary: A Feasibility Study to Evaluate Safety and Probable Benefit of the Eclipse XL1 System for Distraction Enterogenesis in Adult and Pediatric Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome
Summary: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept (PoC), Phase 2 study to assess the safety, PK, and PD of SC administration of HM15912(sonefpeglutide) in adult subjects with SBS-associated intestinal failure (SBS-IF).
Published Date: May 14, 2024
Published By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Buchman AL. Short bowel syndrome. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 106.
Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 126.
Venick RS. Short bowel syndrome. In: Wyllie R, Hyams JS, Kay M, eds. Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 35.