Tag Archives: short bowel syndrome

Green beans for short gut syndrome

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A recent article indicates that the addition of green beans may improve diarrhea and reduce dependence on parenteral nutrition (Adding Dietary Green Beans to Formula Resolves the Diarrhea …) (ICAN. DOI: 10.1177/1941406412469403). Thanks to Kipp Ellsworth for pointing out this reference on his twitter feed.

This small retrospective study of 18 infants examined the addition of green beans to the diet of infants with short bowel syndrome (SBS) (1 jar of stage 2 baby food green beans to every 8 ounces of 30 cal formula).  The average gestational age of the patients was 32 weeks (range 23-39 weeks) and the average birth weight was 1938 gram.  Nine patients had NEC, four had gastroschisis, two had Christmas tree defect, and three had other reasons for either SBS or intestinal failure.  The IF group (n=10) was defined as being dependent on parenteral nutrition to meet nutritional needs; the SBS group (n=8), who were more severely affected, was defined as the malabsorptive state that follows a massive resection.

Products that were used:

  • Gerber Natural Select: 3 gm of fiber per 4 ounce
  • Beach-Nut Homestyle: 2 gm of fiber per 4 ounce
  • HyVee Mother Choice: 2 gm of fiber per 4 ounce
  • These products average 32% soluble and 68% insoluble fiber

While the authors note that they use only amino-acid based formulas currently, at the time of the study, 61% were receiving Peptamen Junior.

It is not clear in the manuscript exactly at what age green beans are introduced. However, a previous case study suggested addition of green beans at ~4 months or >44 weeks postconception.  This prior case study indicated that adding stage 2 green beans changed the caloric density of 30 cal formula to 22 cal/ounce (Nutrition in Clinical Practice 2005; 20: 674-77).  In addition, this adds 2 gm/kg/day of fiber.

Results from current study:

  • 9 of 10 IF patients were able to discontinue parenteral nutrition
  • 2 of 8 SBS patients were able to discontinue parenteral nutrition
  • All infants had improvements in stool consistency, typically within 24 hours of dietary change.

While the authors acknowledge the limitations of the study, they hypothesize that the reason for improvement is due to the fiber content of green beans.   Fermentation of dietary fiber produces short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which in turn have a trophic effect on the mucosa and enhance nutrient absorption.

Studies have shown that adults with IF or SBS have improved stool consistency with the addition of fiber.  However, the authors note that there have been no studies documenting the effectiveness of dietary fiber in the pediatric SBS/IF population.

Whether green beans would outperform other sources of fiber like pectin, guar gum, bananas or benefiber is not clear.

Additional references/links:

Are we missing Vitamin B12?

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This is the question that I wonder after reading a recent review (NEJM 2013; 368: 149-60) -especially since effective treatment is readily available.

While vitamin B12 deficiency is most common in individuals 70 to 80 years, it affects all age groups.  A particularly vulnerable group are infants of mothers with vitamin B12 deficiency.  These infants may be born with deficiency or it may develop if exclusively breast-fed, usually between 4 and 6 months of age.  Indications of this deficiency include failure of brain development, poor growth, hypotonia, and feeding difficulties.  Some infants develop tremors, lethargy, and hyperirritability.  Imaging may show atrophy and delayed myelination.

Mothers who are at most risk:

  • unrecognized pernicious anemia
  • history of gastric bypass
  • short gut syndrome
  • long-term vegetarian or vegan diet

Other pediatric conditions that cause B12 deficiency: ileal resections, Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome (Imerslund–Gräsbeck syndrome (selective vitamin B12 malabsorption ..), inflammatory bowel disease, and pernicious anemia.

Other Key Points from this review:

  • B12 deficiency causes reversible megaloblastic anemia, demyelinating neurologic disease or both
  • B12 deficiency is the major cause of hyperhomocysteinemia in countries with folate-fortified food and contributes to a risk of vascular disease and thrombosis
  • Autoimmune gastritis (pernicious anemia) is the most common cause of severe deficiency (in adults).  Tests to determine underlying reason for B12 deficiency include the following: anti-intrinsic factor antibodies (must be checked off treatment for at least 7 days), anti-parietal cell antibodies -both help detect pernicious anemia, gastrin level (high level) & pepsinogen I (low levels) both suggestive of atrophic gastritis.  The Schilling test of radioactive B12 is no longer available.  Endoscopy is frequently performed in adults with B12 deficiency.
  • Methylmalonic acid (MMA) is the best indicator for untreated B12 deficiency; MMA >400 nmol/L has 98% sensitivity for B12 deficiency.  Other causes of increased MMA include renal failure and volume depletion.
  • Serum B12 has poor sensitivity and specificity -though performs adequately at higher cut-off value (<350pg/mL has 90% sensitivity)
  • Many individuals require lifelong treatment with either parenteral B12 or high-dose oral tablets (see article for dosing recommendations)

Additional references:

  • -J Pediatr 2010; 157: 162.  B12 deficiency in newborns –especially if mother has had bariatric surgery or vegan diet.
  • -J Pediatr 2001; 138: 10 (review) At risk for deficiency: strict veggie, abnl absorption (gastric resection, pernicious anemia), long term PPI, bacterial overgrowth, ileal disruption (Crohn’s), or ileal receptor d/o (Imersund-Grasbeck),  inborn B12 metabolism d/o

Clinical Sx: FTT, weakness, anorexia, neuro/psych sx, macrocytic anemia, pancytopenia, glossitis, vomit/diarrhea

Dx: low vit B12, incr methylmalonic acid & incr homocysteine.  MMA specific for B12; homocysteine incr also if folate deficient.

If Vit B12 deficient, reason for this needs to be determined.

Teduglutide for Short Bowel Syndrome

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More data on teduglutide indicate its potential for short bowel syndrome (SBS) (Gastroenterol 2012; 143: 1473-81, editorial 1416-20).  Treatments for SBS are needed.  One year of parenteral nutrition often costs the health care system in excess of $100,000 per year.  This cost does not account for laboratory studies, health care visits, complications, and hospitalizations.  Treatment of intestinal failure with transplantation “may cost upwards of $1 million.”

In this study of adult patients with an average of 50 years, teduglutide was given in a prospective randomized double-blind study to 42 patients and another 43 patients received placebo. The dose of 0.05 mg/kg/day via subcutaneous injection was chosen based on a previous trial which showed that a higher dose was less effective.  Among these patients, the most common reasons for SBS were vascular disease (34%), Crohn’s disease (21%), volvulus (11%), and injury ((9%).

Bottom line:

  • Teduglutide over a 24-week study was more effective than placebo.  63% of study patients had a drop in parenteral nutrition requirement of more than 20% compared with only 30% of the placebo group.
  • The mean reduction in parenteral nutrition support of teduglutide-treated patients was 4.4 L/week compared with 2.3 L/week for placebo-treated patients.
  • Citrulline, a biomarker of mucosal mass, was increased in the teduglutide group.  In the treatment group, citrulline increased by 20.6 μmol/L compared with 0.7 μmol/L for the placebo group.

How does teduglutide work?  Teduglutide is a much more stable analog of glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2).  The latter is released by the distal small bowel and colon.  GLP-2 promotes intestinal epithelial growth and increases transit time.

What are the adverse effects of teduglutide? First, there is a concern that teduglutide could promote colonic adenomas based on studies in mice.  GLP-2 receptors are present in the lung, and brain (including hypothalamus); its effects in these areas is poorly understood.  In addition, abdominal pain, distention, nausea, peripheral edema, and nasopharyngitis were more common in the treatment group. The long-term consequences of teduglutide therapy are not known.

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