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Short bowel syndrome
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Overview
Short bowel syndrome is a group of problems involving the small intestine that causes poor absorption of nutrients from food.[1] The main cause of short bowel syndrome is surgical removal of half or more of the small intestine to treat intestinal diseases, injuries, or defects present at birth. Signs and symptoms may include diarrhea, cramping, bloating, heartburn, dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss, food sensitivities, weakness, and fatigue. Examples of treatment include diet and nutritional support, and in some cases intestinal transplantation.[1]
References
- Short Bowel Syndrome. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/shortbowel/index.htm. Accessed April 29, 2011.
Your Questions Answered
by the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center1 question(s) from the public on Short bowel syndrome have been answered. See questions and answers. You can also submit a new question.
On this page
General Information
- MedlinePlus, a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, provides more information about this topic. Click on the link to view this information.
- The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library provides information on this condition. Click on the link to view the information.
- MeSH® (Medical Subject Headings) is a terminology tool used by the National Library of Medicine. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
- The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), part of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), offers information on this condition. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
- PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Short bowel syndrome. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
- eMedicine has two articles on this topic from the perspective of surgery and pediatric gastroenterology. You may need to register to view the information online, but registration is free. Click on the links above to view the articles from this medical reference Web site.
- The University of Washington's Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center Web site has a resource page for parents on short bowel syndrome. Click on the link above to access this page.
- The Children's Hospital Boston Web site as a resource page on short bowel syndrome for parents and families. Click on the link above to access the page.
Selected Full-Text Journal Articles
- Spencer AU et al., Pediatric short bowel syndrome: Redefining predictors of success. Ann Surg. 2005 Sept;242(3):403-412.
- McMellen ME, Wakeman D, Longshore SW, McDuffie LA, Warner BW. Growth factors: possible roles for clinical management of the short bowel syndrome. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2010 Feb;19(1):35-43.
- Le HD, Fallon EM, de Meijer VE, Malkan AD, Puder M, Gura KM. Innovative parenteral and enteral nutrition therapy for intestinal failure. Semin Pediatr Surg. 2010 Feb;19(1):27-34.
- Markel TA, Crisostomo PR, Lahm T, Novotny NM, Rescorla FJ, Tector J, Meldrum DR. Stem cells as a potential future treatment of pediatric intestinal disorders. J Pediatr Surg. 2008 Nov;43(11):1953-63.
- Cole CR, Hansen NI, Higgins RD, Ziegler TR, Stoll BJ; Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD Neonatal Research Network. Very low birth weight preterm infants with surgical short bowel syndrome: incidence, morbidity and mortality, and growth outcomes at 18 to 22 months. Pediatrics. 2008 Sep;122(3):e573-82.
- Hasosah M, Lemberg DA, Skarsgard E, Schreiber R. Congenital short bowel syndrome: a case report and review of the literature. Can J Gastroenterol. 2008 Jan;22(1):71-4. Review.
- Nightingale J, Woodward JM; Small Bowel and Nutrition Committee of the British Society of Gastroenterology. Guidelines for management of patients with a short bowel. Gut. 2006 Aug;55 Suppl 4:iv1-12.
- Gupte GL, Beath SV, Kelly DA, Millar AJ, Booth IW. Current issues in the management of intestinal failure. Arch Dis Child. 2006 Mar;91(3):259-64.
- AGA Technical Review on Short Bowel Syndrome and Intestinal Transplantation. Gastroenterology. 2003;124:1111-1134 . (PDF)