Pediatric Feeding Disorder in Children With Short Bowel Syndrome.

We aimed to characterize the prevalence of pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) in short bowel syndrome (SBS) and study factors contributing to the persistence of PFD. METHODS Single-center retrospective study of patients diagnosed with SBS at age ≤ 6 months. Data were collected in 3-month intervals through age 2 years, and every 6 months through age 4 years. Demographic information, anthropometric data, and details regarding nutrition support were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS We reviewed 28 patients. Of the 21 patients who were weaned off parenteral nutrition (PN), 57.1%, 81.0%, 90.5% and 100.0% achieved this by 12, 24, 36, and 48 months of age, respectively. Of the 13 patients who were weaned off enteral nutrition (EN), 30.8%, 69.2%, 76.9% and 100.0% achieved this by 12, 24, 36, and 48 months, respectively.The prevalence of PFD was 100.0%, 76.5%, 68.8% and 70.0% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years of age, respectively. All patients who exhibited resolution of PFD had an underlying etiology of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Median small bowel percentage remaining was greater in patients who exhibited resolution of PFD compared to those who did not. Except for the group of patients seen at 4 years of age, a larger percentage of patients with vomiting/history of requirement of post-pyloric feeds were seen among patients with PFD compared to those without PFD. CONCLUSION PFD is prevalent in children with SBS. While prevalence decreases over time, children with PFD will continue to require more medical attention than children that do not.