WHAT IS SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME (SBS)?
Roy,gattex patient
Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a serious and chronic malabsorption disorder
SBS occurs when parts of the intestine are removed surgically and the remaining intestine may not be able to absorb enough nutrients from food and drink.
The term “short gut” is sometimes used, but the condition is officially called short bowel syndrome (SBS, for short).
This results in malabsorption. It puts people at risk for:
Malnutrition
Dehydration
Electrolyte disturbances
Diarrhea/increased outputs
There are multiple factors a doctor may use to determine an sbs diagnosis, not just the length of remaining bowel
The causes of short bowel syndrome (SBS) can be different in
adults and children
SBS in adults often starts with other medical conditions that lead to loss of function and surgical removal of parts of the intestines. These can include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
- Vascular events
- Traumatic injury to the small bowel
Unlike in adults, surgical resection in children is often due to a condition at birth:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis, commonly referred to as NEC, is the most common cause in premature infants and occurs when the lining of the intestinal wall dies
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Other conditions at birth include:
- stomach wall defects (gastroschisis)
- blockage in the intestine (intestinal atresia)
- twisting of the intestine (volvulus)
- missing nerve cells in the intestine (Hirschsprung’s disease)
- other congenital (birth) defects
Many people with short bowel syndrome (SBS) require
parenteral support (PS)
PS is any kind of nutrition and/or fluids that are given through a vein (intravenously).
Based on your personal needs, PS can include a mix of nutrients, such as:
- Proteins
- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Vitamins
- Minerals
Every person with SBS is different, and PS requirements can vary.
People who are dependent on PS have a range of needs, from temporary use of intravenous fluids to total parenteral nutrition (TPN). TPN provides people with all of their daily nutrition.
PS provides essential nutrition but does not help the intestine absorb nutrients on its own
Short bowel syndrome (SBS) management
Important treatment goals for adults and children with SBS include:
Maintaining essential nutrition and hydration
Helping the intestine adapt so that it can properly digest nutrients and fluids
Improving daily life by supporting healthy work, sleep, and social habits
Reducing or eliminating the need for long-term parenteral support