Achieving Enteral Autonomy in Children with Intestinal Failure Following Inpatient Admission: A Case Series.

We describe cases of intestinal failure wherein inpatient admission was critical toward enteral autonomy. We performed a retrospective chart review of 6 children with long-term parenteral nutrition dependence who were weaned from parenteral nutrition after admission. Admissions included feeding and medication titration, interdisciplinary care, and a home parenteral nutrition team consultation.

Generic and Disease-specific Health-related Quality of Life in Pediatric Intestinal Failure.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess overall and disease-specific health-related quality of life (hrQOL) in patients with pediatric intestinal failure (PIF) and caregivers and elucidate differences from healthy and chronic gastrointestinal (GI) illness cohorts.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of patients with PIF and their caregivers managed at a multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation program using the PedsQL Generic Core and the Gastrointestinal Symptoms Module to assess generic and disease-specific hrQOL, respectively. These data were compared to established healthy and chronic GI disease controls.

Is Serum Methylmalonic Acid a Reliable Biomarker of Vitamin B12 Status in Children with Short Bowel Syndrome: A Case Series.

We describe 3 patients with short bowel syndrome who had persistently elevated serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) levels while being treated for vitamin B12 deficiency. Following treatment for presumed small bowel bacterial overgrowth, MMA levels normalized. Among patients with short bowel syndrome, MMA levels may have limited specificity for vitamin B12 deficiency.

High Prevalence of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease in Children With Intestinal Failure.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence and clinical features of gastrointestinal (GI) eosinophilic inflammation among pediatric patients with intestinal failure (IF).

Methods: Medical records of all patients studied in our institution's IF program who underwent GI endoscopy over a 15-year period were reviewed, and clinical, pathologic, nutrition, and laboratory data collected.

Results: One hundred five patients underwent 208 GI endoscopic procedures with biopsy.

Gastrointestinal bleeding as a complication of serial transverse enteroplasty.

Purpose: Serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) lengthens and tapers bowel in patients with intestinal failure. Evaluation and treatment of serious late gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in three STEP patients are described.

Methods: Patients participating in an interdisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation program were reviewed to identify those who underwent STEP and had GIB requiring transfusion.