Short Bowel Syndrome with intestinal failure (SBS-IF) is defined as the reduction of gut function below the minimum necessary for the absorption of macronutrients and/or water and electrolytes, such that intravenous (IV) supplementation is required to maintain health and/or growth.3
In SBS-IF, usually a large portion of the small intestine is removed surgically, resulting in impaired intestinal function and malabsorption.1,3,4
Impaired absorption of macronutrients, micronutrients, water and electrolytes
Malabsorption puts patients at risk for malnutrition, diarrhoea and dehydration
Patients require long-term PN/IV to maintain health and/or growth
SBS-IF may be the result of congenital diseases of the bowel3 or extensive resection due to:5-8
SBS-IF is most commonly caused by congenital diseases including:9-12
PN/IV is usually administered for an average of 5 days per week (range: 3-7 days) and at night.7,14
Complications of short bowel syndrome arising from long-term PN/IV include risk of infection and sepsis, thrombosis, and intestinal failure-associated liver disease.1,15
The most frequent PN/IV complication and accounts for the majority of PN/IV-related hospitalisations
Over a 12-month period*:
*A multicentre European survey of long-term home parenteral nutrition patients (n=228)
PN/IV= parenteral nutrition/intravenous fluids; SBS-IF= short bowel syndrome – intestinal failure
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