VJ Christian et al. JPGN 2021; 72: 442-445. Pediatric Feeding Disorder in Children With Short Bowel Syndrome

This small (n=28) retrospective study provides useful information on the persistence of feeding problems in children with short bowel syndrome (SBS). The authors defined a pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) as “reliance on enteral feeds to sustain nutrition, reliance on high-calorie oral supplements to sustain nutrition, or feeding skill dysfunction resulting in not consuming an age-appropriate diet.” Patients who remained on PN were considered to have a PFD as well.

Key findings:

• Of the 21 patients (75% of total cohort) who were weaned off parenteral nutrition, 57.1%, 81.0%, 90.5%, and 100.0% achieved this by 12, 24, 36, and 48 months of age, respectively. Median age at time of weaning PN was 10.8 months.
• Of the 13 patients who were weaned off enteral nutrition (EN), 30.8%, 69.2%, 76.9%, and 100.0% achieved this by 12, 24, 36, and 48 months, respectively. Median age of weaning EN was 15.7 months. Overall, about a third of patients required EN beyond 2 years of life.
• The prevalence of PFD (of entire cohort) was 100.0%, 76.5%, 68.8%, and 70.0% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years of age, respectively

My take: When parents ask how long it will be before my child is off PN and eating by mouth, this study’s results could be useful.

Related blog posts for Short Bowel Syndrome:

• Nutrition Pearls: Fiber for SBS
• Short Gut Diet -CHOA Approach
• #NASPGHAN19 Intestinal Failure Session (Part 2)
• N2U -Part 2: Poor Growth and Short Bowel Syndrome | gutsandgrowth
• Green Beans for Short Gut Syndrome
• Enteral Autonomy in Pediatric Intestinal Failure | gutsandgrowth
• Medical Progress for Intestinal Failure Associated Liver Disease | gutsandgrowth
• Nutrition Support for Intestinal Failure | gutsandgrowth
• Using Spot Urine Sodiums | gutsandgrowth
• Predicting Short Bowel Syndrome Enteral Autonomy: Small Bowel Diameter | gutsandgrowth