Enteral feeding increases sepsis in infants with short bowel syndrome

Sepsis secondary to bacterial translocation is common in infants with short bowel syndrome (SBS). Although early feeding is advocated to enhance adaptation in SBS, the effects of feeding on sepsis in SBS patients have not been examined. Twenty-one infants and children (aged 2 months to 3 years) with SBS (< 80 cm small bowel length) from a variety of causes (15 necrotizing enterocolitis, 2 atresia, 2 gastroschisis, 2 volvulus) had follow-up prospectively for septic episodes before and after feedings were initiated, while still receiving total parenteral nutrition. The incidence and number of septic episodes and microbiology (blood cultures) were tabulated and compared with those of 20 patients with similar ages, and diagnoses without SBS. Statistically significant differences among infants with SBS were noted with respect to sepsis incidence (6 of 21 [29%] NPO v 16 of 21 [76%] feeding) number of septic episodes (1.3 +/- .2 NPO v 4.2 +/- .4 feeding), and presence of gram-negative rods causing bacteremia (1 of 6 [17%] NPO v 13 of 16 [81%] feeding) (all: P < .05). There were similar differences between SBS and non-SBS infants. These data show that enteral feeding increases the incidence and number of episodes of sepsis in SBS infants, but not in matched non-SBS patients. The predominance of gram-negative organisms in sepsis in SBS suggests increased gut bacterial translocation in these patients, implying that selective gut decontamination may reduce the episodes of bacteremia.