Use of a symbiotic supplement in a child with short bowel Syndrome; a case report

The short bowel syndrome (SBS) is due to loss of bowel after surgery. Characterized by generalized nutrients malabsorption, its signs and symptoms include electrolyte imbalance, deficiency of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that can lead to death. Parenteral and enteral nutrition have a key role in its treatment.

To describe the clinical course of a patient with SBS during continuous use of enteral nutrition supplemented with symbiotic.

A seven-year-old male underwent an emergency laparotomy at 18 months old with a massive bowel resection, remaining about 20 cm of the small intestine and the entire colon. He was dependent of exclusive parenteral nutrition for over a year, leading to the occurrence of numerous infectious complications. Due to complications caused by prolonged use of central venous access, was unable to continue to receive the parenteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition by a nasogastric tube and supplemental symbiotic was the nutritional therapy option for him. The assessment of the volume of losses by the colostomy was measured daily.

There was a significant reduction of losses by colostomy, especially in the first days after introduction of the enteral nutrition plus symbiotic supplementation, as well as significant decrease in gas production.

Despite the lack of evidence for a formal recommendation on the use of symbiotic for SBS patients, its use in the nutritional therapy of this patient resulted in reduced electrolyte loss electrolyte and consequent improvement of his clinical and nutritional condition.