Overview
Short bowel syndrome (SBS) occurs when your child’s body can’t absorb enough nutrients and fluids because part of their small intestine is missing or isn’t working as it should. SBS can be present from birth (congenital) or your child may develop it after surgery to remove a large section of their small intestine.
Another name for short bowel syndrome is short gut syndrome.
What is the small intestine?
Your small intestine is a part of your digestive system. It absorbs fluids, proteins, carbohydrates (starches and sugars), iron, fats, vitamins and minerals (such as calcium, sodium and potassium) from the foods you eat. Food breaks down into a liquid in your small intestine, and then waste from the breakdown of food passes through your large intestine.
Your small intestine has three sections:
- Duodenum: The shortest section, located next to your stomach.
- Jejunum: The middle section, located between the shortest section (duodenum) and the longest section (ileum).
- Ileum: The longest section that connects to your large intestine (colon).
How does short bowel syndrome affect the small intestine?
Changes to your small intestine can affect how much nutrients your body absorbs from the food you eat.
Some medical conditions require surgery to remove parts of a child’s small intestine. Generally, your child is born with an adequate length of small intestine as a reserve. If surgery removes your duodenum and a portion of your jejunum, your ileum can take on its role in absorbing nutrients. But if you have surgery to remove a substantial part of your jejunum or ileum, it’s hard to get adequate nutrition, as the path that food travels to break down and absorb into your body is shorter.
If your child is born with portions of their small intestine missing, it can cause complications like your child not getting enough nutrients from their meals. This can be life-threatening if left untreated.
How common is short bowel syndrome?
Short bowel syndrome is rare and affects an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 people in the United States. This estimate includes both children and adults.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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