Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Tissue Engineering of the Intestine in a Murine Model
Published on: December 1, 2012
[Clinical results of an extensive gut resection in newborn infants]
Insights
Parenteral nutrition now sustains all infants with short-gut syndrome, but successful adaptation to oral feeding is crucial for meaningful life. Intestinal transplantation offers new hope for these young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Neonatology
Context:
- Short-gut syndrome presents significant challenges in neonates and infants.
- Advances in parenteral nutrition have dramatically improved survival rates.
- Adaptation to oral feeding remains a critical factor for long-term outcomes.
Purpose:
- To review clinical experience with short-gut syndrome over the past 20 years.
- To highlight advancements in managing neonates and infants with this condition.
- To discuss current and future therapeutic strategies.
Summary:
- Parenteral nutrition can sustain life in nearly all infants with short-gut syndrome, regardless of remaining intestinal length.
- Successful adaptation to oral feeding is essential for a meaningful life, typically achievable with over 50 cm of small intestine.
- Previous surgical interventions have largely failed, but intestinal transplantation presents promising new prospects.
Impact:
- Improved survival rates for infants with short-gut syndrome.
- Enhanced understanding of the importance of gradual dietary adaptation for oral feeding.
- Emerging therapeutic options like intestinal transplantation offer new hope for improved quality of life.
Abstract:
Clinical experience over the last 20 years in neonates and infants with the short-gut syndrome is reviewed. In this period there has been considerable development with respect to the problem. Today one can say that, basically, all children (even those with only a few cm of small intestine) can be kept alive by means of parenteral nutrition. Further life is only possible and meaningful if the child can adapt itself to the new situation. This is usually no problem if more than 50 cm of small intestine remains. Surgical methods of slowing the passage through the gut and of improving absorption have proved failures; transplantation of small intestine offers new prospects. For children to adapt to peroral feeding it is important that this be introduced stepwise with "gradual" diet.
