Short bowel syndrome, or SBS, results from the surgical removal (or resection) of part of the bowel. Reasons for this type of surgery vary, and include congenital defects or injury to the bowel, but the end result is the patient is left with the inability to absorb nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Children with SBS fail to grow, and adults can experience:
- fatigue
- pallor
- muscle wasting
- weight loss other symptoms stemming from malnutrition
The Short Bowel Syndrome Foundation was founded by an SBS patient named Andrew Jablonski.
Jablonski saw the need to gather resources in one place so that affected individuals and their families wouldn’t experience the lack of support he did when he was first navigating the waters of SBS.
The foundation supports research and was closely involved in gaining FDA approval for a new treatment called GATTEX (tegudlutide [rDNA origin] for injection).
Traditionally, treatments have included nutritional support, further surgery, and finally a transplant–which costs in excess of $1,000,000.
People with SBS have to change their diet so they can absorb nutrients, and they must also make sure they have a normal balance of fluids, electrolytes, and vitamins to prevent dehydration and other complications.
Some people require total parenteral nutrition, or TPN, after bowel surgery. This is delivered by infusion over a 10 to 12 hour period.
