Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS)

Short bowel syndrome describes a group of problems affecting individuals who have lost the use of a major part of their small intestine. This syndrome often occurs after bowel resection surgery in which a portion of the intestine is removed.

Ordinarily, digested food, water, and nutrients are absorbed into the walls of the small intestine and then carried by the bloodstream to other parts of the body. After bowel surgery, patients — especially infants — often have difficulty absorbing all of the nutrients they need.

Chronic diarrhea, which can result in:

• Malnutrition
• Dehydration
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Failure to thrive

Immediately after bowel surgery, most patients must be fed parenterally. However, it is important to get the bowel working properly again by shifting as quickly as possible to tube feeding directly into the small intestine.

Enteral feeding encourages a process called intestinal adaptation, in which the bowel begins to grow larger and is able to absorb more nutrients. This bowel growth is essential to your child's long-term ability to absorb nutrients from food. For many, it is an important first step to oral feeding.

EleCare is designed for both tube and oral feeding. EleCare provides protein in the form of free amino acids (the building blocks of protein), which are already broken down and are easily absorbed. Amino-acid-based formulas such as EleCare may be useful in the management of SBS. Learn more about how EleCare helps >

The Oley Foundation

Food Allergies
Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorder (EGID)
Other Conditions