ABSTRACT
The most common aetiology of short bowel syndrome (SBS) in children and infants is necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). Historically, the most common aetiologies of SBS were midgut volvulus and congenital intestinal atresias. Most cases of SBS occur after resection of infarcted bowel as is the case in children with NEC and midgut volvulus. Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease, typically affect older children. Crohn's disease may lead to SBS if its severity leads to multiple, extensive bowel resections or fistulas that bypass absorptive mucosa. The most important goal in the early management of SBS is to provide nutrition to support healing and continued growth. The Iowa procedure was developed for bowel lengthening in SBS patients with limited mesentery associated with very short bowel. Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for neonates because of its positive influences on cell proliferation and adaptive change in the remnant bowel.
