Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a medical condition of the gastrointestinal tract whereby nutrients are not properly absorbed. Malabsorption is due to disease of the bowel, or surgical removal of large portions of the bowel. The most common causes of SBS are Crohn's disease and necrotizing enterocolitis. According to Medline Plus, much of the treatment for SBS involves diet.
Parenteral Nutrition
Parenteral nutrition is intravenous nutrition that bypasses the digestive system all together. Parenteral nutrition is recommended in severe cases of malabsorption, and is usually the first stage of nutrition support. SBS patients can be on parenteral nutrition without any food intake for several weeks. According to the Children's Hospital of Boston, it is a way to ensure proper nutrition to promote and/or maintain nutritional health while allowing the digestive tract to heal.
Enteral Nutrition
Enteral nutrition, or tube feeding, is the second stage of nutrition support, and helps the shortened gut adapt. It is also a way to feed the working gut if oral intake is inadequate to meet nutritional needs. According to Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy, SBS patients on tube feeding may be given special formulas containing glutamine to help restore gut function. Elemental and semi-elemental tube feeding formulas may also be prescribed; these formulas require very little digestion and are more easily absorbed.
Oral Diet
Once SBS patients are tolerating enteral nutrition, they can begin to eat food. Food choices for people with SBS are individualized. A food diary is recommended to monitor tolerance. Some foods may cause no problems, while others may lead to frequent trips to the bathroom. Medline Plus recommends a high calorie, high protein diet. A high calorie, high protein diet includes foods such as cheese, eggs, nuts, seeds, tofu, meats, dried fruit and butter. Children's Hospital of Boston suggests nutritional supplements, such as Boost or Ensure, to help meet the increased calorie and protein needs. Krause's Food, Nutrition and Diet Therapy recommend avoiding alcohol and caffeine to limit stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract.
Vitamins and Minerals
According to Medline Plus, vitamins and minerals may need to be given intravenously). Anemia can also be a problem and may require treatment with vitamin B12, folic acid and/or iron.
