Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is characterized by severe malabsorption following massive small intestinal resection. Intestinal Lengthening Procedures (ILP) have been performed in children who fail to wean from Parenteral Nutrition (PN) within one year. Although ILP is associated with increased intestinal nutrient tolerance, most patients remain PN- dependent. Intestinal absorption has improved in adults with refractory SBS utilizing growth hormone (GH) and glutamine (GLN). Some adults have discontinued PN with this therapy, and the cost of medical care has been reduced. GH may act via insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) to stimulate morphologic and functional adaptation. GLN is the primary fuel for small intestinal cells and may become depleted in catabolic states. GLN supplementation attenuates PN-induced mucosal atrophy in rats. The purpose of this protocol is to assess whether a 3-month course of treatment with GH and GLN modifies nutrient absorption in children who underwent intestinal resections.
Showing the most recent 10 out of 570 publications