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Short bowel syndrome (short gut) is a condition in which nutrients are not properly absorbed because a large portion of the small intestine is missing.
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Short bowel syndrome (short gut) is most often due to a birth defect or due to surgical removal of part of the bowel. Children with short bowel syndrome cannot get enough water, vitamins, and other nutrients from food to thrive.
A series of tests can help doctors diagnose short bowel syndrome. Children will have their medical history rechecked and get another physical exam. Your child’s doctor may also use a combination of the following tests:
Our intestinal rehab specialists will determine your child’s treatment plan through medical, surgical, and nutritional evaluations.
Treatment for short bowel syndrome depends on how much of the bowel is missing. Your child’s doctor may recommend changes to his dietary regimen, such as:
Additional support may include:
In some cases, medications may be used to treat diarrhea and to slow down the movement of the intestine so it will have more time to absorb water and nutrients.
If your child has symptoms of short bowel syndrome, you should have him evaluated by a physician. Symptoms may include diarrhea, fatty stools, abdominal cramping and bloating, weight loss and fatigue.
In newborns, short bowel syndrome may occur after surgery to treat necrotizing enterocolitis, congenital defects of the bowel or meconium ileus. In older children, short bowel syndrome may occur after surgery to treat Crohn’s disease, cancer, bowel injury or intussusception.