The lack of adequate surface to absorb nutrients from food occurs when specialized areas of the bowel are removed. When one-half of the bowel or more is removed during surgery, the risk of small bowel syndrome is great. Risk factors include diseases of the small intestine that may require surgical intervention such as regional enteritis or Crohn's disease. Necrotizing enterocolitis is a common cause of this syndrome in infants.

• Stools - floating
• Stools - foul smelling
• Diarrhea
• Edema
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Pallor

• Chem 20 that reveals signs of malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
• CBC that reveals anemia
• Stool examination (fecal fat)

The treatment is for the relief of symptoms.

A high-calorie and low-residue diet supplying essential vitamins and minerals is necessary. Anemia is treated with Vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron in diet. Medications may be given to lengthen the transit time of nutrients through the intestine.

Parenteral nutrition is often necessary if enteral feeding is not effective, and an attempt to return to enteral feeding can occur after the patient has stabilized.

The condition may improve over time if it occurs as a result of surgery. Improvement of absorption and lengthening of transit time through the intestine usually occurs with recovery from surgery.

• Weight loss
• Malnutrition
• Pernicious anemia
• Combined systems disease (degenerative changes in the spinal cord and nerves due to Vitamin B12 deficiency)
• Gallstones
• Bacterial overgrowth
• Metabolic acidosis (d-lactic acidosis)

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of short bowel syndrome develop.

This may be an unavoidable complication of extensive bowel surgery.