The ratio of remaining to expected small bowel length predicts enteral autonomy in pediatric patients with short bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Pediatric patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS) often require long-term parenteral nutrition and intravenous fluid support (PN) until enteral autonomy (EA). However, long-term PN accounts for many complications. We aimed to investigate the outcome and predictors of EA in these patients.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This retrospective observational study was conducted in Children's Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Northern Taiwan. Twenty-four patients afflicted with short bowel syndrome between 2002 and 2021 were included. Demographics, operation results, follow-up status, complications, and outcomes were reviewed.

RESULTS

Among the 24 patients, 14 were males (58%). The median age at bowel resection was 3 days (IQR, 1.3-28.8 days). The most common etiologies were total/subtotal intestinal aganglionosis (TIA) (N = 6) and malrotation with midgut volvulus (N = 6). The median length of the residual small intestine was 25 cm (IQR, 7.8-71.3 cm). Ten (41.7%) had preserved ileocecal valve, and 14 (58.3%) had colon-in-continuity. Intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) occurred in 14 patients (58.3%), but none had advanced disease. Seven patients (29.2%) achieved enteral autonomy after 10.1 ± 7.3 months. Five patients (21%) expired due to sepsis. Logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the predictors of enteral autonomy were remaining-to-expected small bowel length ratio >25% and the absence of IFALD.

CONCLUSIONS

In this pediatric short bowel syndrome study, enteral autonomy was achieved in 29% after a mean PN duration of 10 months. The remaining-to-expected small bowel length ratio at bowel resection was the most critical predictor of enteral autonomy.