BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuShort bowel syndromeSmall intestine insufficiency; Short gut syndrome; Necrotizing enterocolitis - short bowelShort bowel syndrome is a problem that occurs when part of the small intestine is missing or has been removed during surgery. Nutrients are not properly absorbed into the body as a result.Not properly absorbed into the bodyMalabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in (absorb) nutrients from food.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The small intestine absorbs much of the nutrients found in foods we eat. When two-thirds of the small intestine is missing, the body may not absorb enough food to stay healthy and maintain your weight. Some infants are born missing part or much of their small intestine.More often, short bowel syndrome occurs because much of the small intestine is removed during surgery. This type of surgery may be needed:After gunshots or other trauma damaged the intestines For someone with severe Crohn disease Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article For infants, often born too early, when part of their intestines dies Part of their intestines diesNecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the death of tissue in the intestine. It occurs most often in premature or sick babies.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When blood flow to the small intestine is reduced due to blood clots or narrowed arteries Symptoms Symptoms may include:Diarrhea DiarrheaDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fatigue FatigueFatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Pale, greasy stools Swelling (edema), especially of the legs EdemaSwelling is the enlargement of organs, skin, or other body parts. It is caused by a buildup of fluid in the tissues. The extra fluid can lead to a ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Very foul-smelling stools Foul-smelling stoolsFoul-smelling stools are stools with a very bad odor. They very often have to do with what you eat, but may be a sign of a medical condition....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Weight loss Weight lossUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Dehydration Exams and Tests The following tests may be done:Blood chemistry tests (such as albumin level) Albumin levelAlbumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood. Albumin c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complete blood count (CBC) Complete blood count (CBC)A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fecal fat test Fecal fatThe fecal fat test measures the amount of fat in the stool. This can help gauge the percentage of dietary fat that the body does not absorb....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Small intestine x-ray Vitamin levels in the blood Treatment Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and ensuring the body receives enough hydration and nutrients.A high-calorie diet that supplies:Key vitamins and minerals, such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 IronIron is a mineral found in every cell of the body. Iron is considered an essential mineral because it is needed to make hemoglobin, a part of blood ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. After the body uses these vitamins, leftover amounts leave the bo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Enough carbohydrates, proteins, and fatsIf needed, injections of some vitamins and minerals or special growth factors will be given.Medicines to slow down the normal movement of the intestine can be tried. This may allow food to remain in the intestine longer. Medicines to lower the amount of stomach acid may also be needed.If the body is not able to absorb enough nutrients, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is tried. It will help you or your child get nutrition from a special formula through a vein in the body. Your health care provider will select the right amount of calories and TPN solution. Sometimes, you can also eat and drink while getting nutrition from TPN.Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a method of feeding that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. A special formula given through a vein provides mo...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Small bowel transplantation is an option in some cases. Outlook (Prognosis) The condition may improve over time if it is due to surgery. Nutrient absorption may slowly get better. Possible Complications Complications may include:Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine Nervous system problems caused by a lack of vitamin B12 (This problem can be treated with vitamin B12 injections.) Too much acid in the blood (metabolic acidosis due to diarrhea) AcidosisAcidosis is a condition in which there is too much acid in the body fluids. It is the opposite of alkalosis (a condition in which there is too much ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gallstones GallstonesGallstones are hard deposits that form inside the gallbladder. These may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney stones Kidney stonesA kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Dehydration Malnutrition MalnutritionMalnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Weakened bones (osteomalacia) Weight loss When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of short bowel syndrome, especially after you have had bowel surgery.Open ReferencesReferencesBuchman AL. Short bowel syndrome. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 106.Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 131.Venick RS. Short bowel syndrome. In: Wyllie R, Hyams JS, Kay M, eds. Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 35.AllVideoImagesTogDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationDigestive system organs - illustration The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.Digestive system organsillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationDigestive system organs - illustration The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.Digestive system organsillustrationSelf Care Low FODMAP dietRelated Information Malabsorption(Condition)Crohn disease(Condition)Necrotizing enterocolitis(Condition)Weight loss - unintentional(Symptoms)Pernicious anemia(Condition)Gallstones(Condition)Acidosis(Condition)Kidney stones(Condition)Crohn disease - InDepth(In-Depth)Anemia - InDepth(In-Depth)Gallstones and gallbladder disease - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 5/4/2022 Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Short bowel syndromeSmall intestine insufficiency; Short gut syndrome; Necrotizing enterocolitis - short bowelShort bowel syndrome is a problem that occurs when part of the small intestine is missing or has been removed during surgery. Nutrients are not properly absorbed into the body as a result.Not properly absorbed into the bodyMalabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in (absorb) nutrients from food.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes The small intestine absorbs much of the nutrients found in foods we eat. When two-thirds of the small intestine is missing, the body may not absorb enough food to stay healthy and maintain your weight. Some infants are born missing part or much of their small intestine.More often, short bowel syndrome occurs because much of the small intestine is removed during surgery. This type of surgery may be needed:After gunshots or other trauma damaged the intestines For someone with severe Crohn disease Crohn diseaseCrohn disease is a disease where parts of the digestive tract become inflamed. It most often involves the lower end of the small intestine and the be...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article For infants, often born too early, when part of their intestines dies Part of their intestines diesNecrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the death of tissue in the intestine. It occurs most often in premature or sick babies.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When blood flow to the small intestine is reduced due to blood clots or narrowed arteries Symptoms Symptoms may include:Diarrhea DiarrheaDiarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fatigue FatigueFatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Pale, greasy stools Swelling (edema), especially of the legs EdemaSwelling is the enlargement of organs, skin, or other body parts. It is caused by a buildup of fluid in the tissues. The extra fluid can lead to a ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Very foul-smelling stools Foul-smelling stoolsFoul-smelling stools are stools with a very bad odor. They very often have to do with what you eat, but may be a sign of a medical condition....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Weight loss Weight lossUnexplained weight loss is a decrease in body weight, when you did not try to lose the weight on your own. Many people gain and lose weight. Uninten...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Dehydration Exams and Tests The following tests may be done:Blood chemistry tests (such as albumin level) Albumin levelAlbumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood. Albumin c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Complete blood count (CBC) Complete blood count (CBC)A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fecal fat test Fecal fatThe fecal fat test measures the amount of fat in the stool. This can help gauge the percentage of dietary fat that the body does not absorb....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Small intestine x-ray Vitamin levels in the blood Treatment Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and ensuring the body receives enough hydration and nutrients.A high-calorie diet that supplies:Key vitamins and minerals, such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 IronIron is a mineral found in every cell of the body. Iron is considered an essential mineral because it is needed to make hemoglobin, a part of blood ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. After the body uses these vitamins, leftover amounts leave the bo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Enough carbohydrates, proteins, and fatsIf needed, injections of some vitamins and minerals or special growth factors will be given.Medicines to slow down the normal movement of the intestine can be tried. This may allow food to remain in the intestine longer. Medicines to lower the amount of stomach acid may also be needed.If the body is not able to absorb enough nutrients, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is tried. It will help you or your child get nutrition from a special formula through a vein in the body. Your health care provider will select the right amount of calories and TPN solution. Sometimes, you can also eat and drink while getting nutrition from TPN.Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a method of feeding that bypasses the gastrointestinal tract. A special formula given through a vein provides mo...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Small bowel transplantation is an option in some cases. Outlook (Prognosis) The condition may improve over time if it is due to surgery. Nutrient absorption may slowly get better. Possible Complications Complications may include:Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine Nervous system problems caused by a lack of vitamin B12 (This problem can be treated with vitamin B12 injections.) Too much acid in the blood (metabolic acidosis due to diarrhea) AcidosisAcidosis is a condition in which there is too much acid in the body fluids. It is the opposite of alkalosis (a condition in which there is too much ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Gallstones GallstonesGallstones are hard deposits that form inside the gallbladder. These may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney stones Kidney stonesA kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Dehydration Malnutrition MalnutritionMalnutrition is the condition that occurs when your body does not get enough nutrients.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Weakened bones (osteomalacia) Weight loss When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of short bowel syndrome, especially after you have had bowel surgery.Open ReferencesReferencesBuchman AL. Short bowel syndrome. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 106.Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 131.Venick RS. Short bowel syndrome. In: Wyllie R, Hyams JS, Kay M, eds. Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 35.