Nutrition assessment in children with short bowel syndrome weaned off parenteral nutrition: a long-term follow-up study.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess long-term growth and nutrition status of children with neonatal short bowel syndrome (SBS) after weaning off parenteral nutrition (PN).

Methods: Eight children with neonatal SBS weaned from PN therapy for more than 2 years were studied. Medical records were reviewed; anthropometric measurements and blood test (hemoglobin, albumin and prealbumin, immunoglobulin, electrolytes, trace elements, and fat-soluble vitamins) were assayed during follow-up.

Results: Anthropometric measurements, weight for age, and height for age were normal in all children; one child was found to be overweight according to weight for height z score. No children were found to have anemia, although one presented with macrocytosis and another had microcytosis. Low serum concentrations of zinc in 3 cases and iron in 1 case were detected. Immunoglobulin levels of all children were within the reference value. Low plasma levels of vitamin A in 2 cases, vitamin E in 4 cases, and beta-carotene in 2 cases were found; one of them had obviously low levels of the 3 fat-soluble vitamins.

Conclusion: Children with SBS are still at risk for different nutrient malabsorption even after weaning off PN for a long time. Therefore, they need long-term, regular monitoring and intensive nutritional care to prevent various nutrient deficiencies.