Short bowel syndrome and surgical techniques for the baby with short intestines

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) in term neonates was defined by Rickham, in 1967, as an extensive resection of all but a maximum of 75 cm of the small gut.1 This corresponds to 30% of the total jejuno-ileal length in term newborns. SBS in the premature newborn also corresponds to 30% of the calculated intestinal length for the given gestational age.2