Nutrition and Growth in Children with Short Bowel Syndrome
Some patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) exhibit growth failure despite aggressive nutritional support. The Intestinal Care Center is examining the characteristic patterns of growth hormone and other hormonal factors in children with short bowel syndrome in an effort to identify patients who are at risk for growth failure and to develop strategies to improve the growth status of these patients. Read more.
Cognitive Testing of Children with Short Bowel Syndrome
Some children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) have developed cognitive (learning) deficits. The Intestinal Care Center has the ability to test children with SBS and develop plans of care that can be used both at home and in school. This testing is done with the help of our colleagues in pediatric neuropsychology at the University of Pittsburgh. Currently, we are able to test children ages 3 through 12. Based on some of our early findings, many children with SBS have visual spatial defects and overall learning difficulties. Read more.
Nutrition after Intestinal Transplantation
The primary nutritional goals of intestinal transplantation include attaining independence from total parenteral nutrition (TPN), initiating or resuming oral intake, maintaining fluid balance and achieving optimal growth and development. The Intestinal Care Center staff continues to monitor trends in linear growth as well as our progress in transitioning intestinal transplant recipients to an oral diet without enteral or parenteral supplementation. We believe that successful post-transplant nutrition management requires an interdisciplinary team approach, careful monitoring and gradual adjustments. Read more.
