RAL Duister, LE Vlug et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2026;83:404–411. Open Access! Cognitive assessment in children with intestinal failure on and weaned off parenteral nutrition

This multicenter international cross-sectional study of children with IF (n=50) examined neurocognitive outcomes (2019-2024); all children were currently receiving home PN or having a history of home PN-dependency.

Key findings:

• The most common underlying condition was necrotizing enterocolitis (28%); other etiologies included intestinal atresia (20%), midgut volvulus (10%), and intestinal pseudo-obstruction (12%)
• 21/50 children (42%) received home parenteral nutrition (PN); median PN-duration was 26.8 (7.5–66.5) months
• Median IQ score was 92.0 (74.3–101.0); 15 children (30%) had very/extremely low IQ (</= 79), both significantly different from the normal population (p < 0.001)

My take: This study provides a good estimate of the percentage of children with intestinal failure/short bowel syndrome with significant neurocognitive impairment: about 30%. The likelihood would be higher in those with proven neurological insults.

Related blog posts:

• Parenteral Nutrition: “The Scar Remains”
• Does SMOFlipid Improve Neurocognitive Outcomes?
• Neonatal Nutrition Lecture -What We Know Right Now …
• More Cognitive Problems, Worse Outcomes with Hirschsprung’s Disease