Find a Provider
From well-child visits to specialized treatment of complex illnesses and injuries, we offer comprehensive care from an exceptional team of doctors, nurses and allied professionals.
- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- A to Z Dictionary
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy Center
- Newborn Center
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes & Cooking
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A
- Heart Center
- Videos
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center
- Be Your Best Self Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- Diseases & Conditions
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sexual Health
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos
- Your Body
- Your Mind
- Para Adolescentes
Short Bowel Syndrome
What Is Short Bowel Syndrome?
Short bowel syndrome happens when the small bowel (intestine) is too short. It can't fully absorb enough of the nutrients that kids need to grow, like water, protein, fat, and sugar. Food that isn’t fully absorbed stays in the intestine and can cause diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration, malnourishment, and other problems.
Children with short bowel syndrome often need to get to help them grow. This is nutrition given through a special IV into a vein.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Short Bowel Syndrome?
The most common symptoms of short bowel syndrome are:
- bloating, gas, and belly pain
- diarrhea and foul-smelling poop
- weight loss
- poor growth
- vitamin and mineral deficiencies
What Causes Short Bowel Syndrome?
Short bowel syndrome can happen when a child's intestine is injured and doctors remove part of it in surgery.
Diseases and conditions that can injure the intestine this way include:
- necrotizing enterocolitis
- intestinal malrotation with volvulus
- intestinal atresia
- Hirschsprung disease
- trauma
- blood clots in the bowel
How Is Short Bowel Syndrome Diagnosed?
Usually short bowel develops because of an emergency while a baby or child is in the hospital. Your doctor will talk with you about the diagnosis and treatment plan before sending your child home.
Children with short bowel syndrome will need regular follow-up medical care. During these visits, the doctor will ask questions, take a medical history, and do an exam.
The doctor might also order blood tests and imaging tests (X-rays or computerized tomography (CT).
How Is Short Bowel Syndrome Treated?
Treatment for short bowel syndrome depends on how severe the condition is. It will be different for every child, and could involve a combination of:
- getting parenteral nutrition
- eating a healthy diet, which may include avoiding some foods
- getting food or formula through a feeding tube
- taking medicines to help treat diarrhea
- taking nutritional supplements
- working with therapists
- surgeries to help the intestines work better
- referral to a medical center that does intestinal transplants
A specialized team cares for children with short bowel syndrome. Usually the team includes:
- a doctor who specializes in digestive problems, called a pediatric gastroenterologist
- a pediatric surgeon for any needed surgical procedures
- a dietitian to help monitor the child’s growth and help provide nutrition
- a social worker to help the family get the support they need
- a speech therapist to help with feeding problems
- other specialists as needed
How Can Parents Help?
Be sure to take your child to all regular checkups. The doctor will talk with you about many things, including your child’s growth, diet, and overall development.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.