This factor predicts enteral autonomy in patients with short bowel syndrome

A study of pediatric patients with short bowel syndrome found that a remaining-to-expected small bowel length ratio >25% at bowel resection was a critical predictor of enteral autonomy.

Patients with short bowel syndrome often require long-term parenteral support for feeding and growth, though this practice can be associated with complications.

The retrospective, observational study took place at Children’s Medical Center at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan. A cohort of 24 patients (58% male) with short bowel syndrome seen at the facility between 2002 and 2021 was assessed based on demographics, operation results, complications, and outcomes.

Median age at bowel resection was 3 days (range, 1.3-28.8 days), with the most common etiologies being total/subtotal intestinal aganglionosis (n=6) and malrotation with midgut volvulus (n=6).

Seven patients (29%) achieved enteral autonomy after a mean 10.1 months. Five patients (21%) died due to sepsis.

Intestinal failure-associated liver disease was another predictor of enteral autonomy, occurring in 14 patients (58.3%), none of whom had advanced disease.

Reference

Chang CW, Yeh PJ, Lai HH, et al. The ratio of remaining to expected small bowel length predicts enteral autonomy in pediatric patients with short bowel syndrome. 2024. doi:10.1016/j.bj.2024.100791