Nutritional Rehabilitation Clinic

Short Bowel Syndrome

Short bowel syndrome – also called short gut syndrome – is when a large section of the small intestine requires surgery or doesn’t work appropriately. A person may be something you’re born with or can happen later in life.

A shortened bowel interferes with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and water from food and liquids. Therefore, many children with this condition rely on TPN . Along with TPN, we may consider targeted medications, highly specialized surgeries and special diets for their treatment.

When you visit our clinic for the first time, you’ll meet with a nutritionist and a nutrition-focused gastroenterologist to discuss all potential treatments for your child. Together, we’ll develop a unique care plan to help your child thrive.

Typically, we see patients with short bowel syndrome monthly. Once a year, they are evaluated in a multidisciplinary clinic that includes: a pediatric surgeon, pharmacist, psychologist, registered nurse, gastroenterologist and dietitian. This is how we get a complete view of your child’s health. We will answer your questions and discuss innovative new treatment options.

Other Conditions We Treat

At Phoenix Children’s, our expert team treats the full range of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions associated with short bowel syndrome, such as:

  • Congenital diarrheas: Diverse diseases that cause diarrhea beginning in the first days of life
  • Gastroschisis and omphalocele: Congenital disabilities in which the infant’s intestines grow outside the body 
  • Hirschsprung disease: When a baby is born without nerves in the colon, causing blockages and preventing normal bowel movements
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Chronic inflammatory condition of the small bowel, colon or both
  • Intestinal atresias: When a portion of a baby’s intestine doesn’t form properly, causing a blockage, narrowing or missing section of the bowel
  • Intestinal malrotation and volvulus: Issues where the intestines twist abnormally
  • Malabsorption issues: Conditions that affect the body’s ability to absorb nutrition from food and absorb water to keep the body hydrated
  • Meconium ileus: Blockage in the small intestine caused by very thick and sticky meconium (baby’s first stool), which may be a sign of cystic fibrosis
  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC): Inflammation and tissue death of the intestines