Gastrointestinal

Rehabilitation

Sharayu & Asad

What is intestinal rehabilitation?
Intestinal rehabilitation is the process of
gradually restoring the intestine’s ability to
digest food and absorb nutrients. This is
done through diet, medicines and surgery
other than organ (intestine) transplant.
Who should try intestinal rehabilitation?
Your child may be a good candidate for intestinal
rehabilitation if:
They are on total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
because of intestinal failure.
They were able to stop TPN, but they still have
trouble digesting and absorbing nutrients because
of intestinal failure.
TPN is a complete form of
nutrition given into the blood
through a vein (intravenously)
by a central line placed in the
child’s chest, neck or groin.
child may be on TPN if they have a complex
digestive condition that does not allow them to
get all their nutrition by mouth or feeding tube.
This includes children with short bowel
syndrome, motility disorders, absorptive
disorders or other conditions that can cause
intestinal failure.
Some children on TPN get part of their
nutrition by mouth or feeding tube; some take
TPN only.
Why is intestinal rehabilitation
used?
TPN is a lifesaver for patients
who cannot absorb enough
nutrition through their small
intestine. But if TPN is used
long-term, it can result in liver
failure and life-threatening
infections.
Our goals with intestinal rehabilitation are to:
End or reduce the need for TPN.
Get your child eating by mouth.
Prevent the need for intestine transplant if
possible.
If intestinal rehabilitation does not work or is
not an option for your child, intestine
transplant may be the next step.
What does the Intestinal Rehabilitation
Program do?
Our specialists first look at:
Your child’s intestinal and liver health.
Whether your child may be able to switch
from TPN to eating by mouth or feeding
tube. This can depend on factors like why
your child has intestinal failure and how
much of their intestine remains if part was
removed by surgery.
Whether surgery options other than an
intestine transplant might help.
If we find that your child will benefit from
intestinal rehabilitation, your child will
take part in an intensive program over
several months.
The intestinal rehabilitation team will:Evaluate
your child’s intestinal function in detail.
Take steps to reduce the risk of central-line
infections while your child is on TPN.
Create an individualized nutrition plan to find the
diet that works best for your child’s body.
Manage overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines.
Perform nontransplant surgery, such as intestine
lengthening or tapering where needed.
Wean your child from TPN slowly. We
decide if and when to wean your child by
carefully monitoring many aspects of their
health, like whether they are gaining
weight and how much stool they pass.
Teach your child and family about how to
care for the central line, how to manage
day-to-day nutrition and what to expect
What happens after intestinal rehabilitation?
Once your child is able to eat by mouth and is
off TPN, we will keep seeing them in the
Intestinal Rehabilitation Clinic for follow-up
visits. Our focus at these clinic visits is to
monitor your child’s growth; go over nutrition
and feeding plans; and watch for anemia,
bacteria growth or other problems that can
sometimes happen. Ongoing care from
intestinal rehabilitation experts is important to
keeping your child healthy.
Thank youu very muchh for
listening patiently! ☺️

Sharayu Dhoble & Shaikh

Asad Jamil✨😇