Prevention of liver failure in parenteral nutrition-dependent children with short bowel syndrome

• Published in: Journal of pediatric surgery 1997-03, Vol.32 (3), p.473-475
• Main Authors: Meehan, John J, Georgeson, Keith E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bacterial Translocation; Biological and medical sciences; Catheters, Indwelling - microbiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Cholestasis - prevention & control; Clinical Protocols; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Gastrointestinal Motility; Humans; Infant; Liver Failure - etiology; Liver Failure - prevention & control; Medical sciences; Other diseases. Semiology; Parenteral Nutrition, Total - adverse effects; Retrospective Studies; Short Bowel Syndrome - complications; Short Bowel Syndrome - microbiology; Short Bowel Syndrome - physiopathology; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Taurine - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0022-3468; 1531-5037
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3468(97)90609-6

Progressive liver failure in parenteral nutrition (PN)-dependent children with short bowel syndrome carries significant morbidity and mortality. The authors retrospectively reviewed 47 consecutive patients with short bowel syndrome diagnosed from October 1985 through October 1995. All patients were treated according to a protocol designed to promote intestinal motility and discourage bacterial translocation. Elements of the protocol included the use of taurine, vigilant prevention and aggressive treatment of sepsis, meticulous catheter care, early PN cycling, appropriate enteral feeding, and measures designed to inhibit gastrointestinal bacterial translocation, especially gram-negative rods. Complete blood counts and serum liver function studies were complied from both clinic visits and hospital admissions for each patient every 3 to 6 months while they were on PN. Three patients were lost to follow-up after they had moved out of state. The length of time on PN ranged from 3 months to 9.4 years with an average of 2.2 years. Elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and glutamyltransferase (GGT) were present in 82%, 66%, and 84% of patients, respectively. Alkaline phosphatase was elevated in 58% of patients. Eight patients (18%) are still on PN, and 31 (70%) have been weaned off PN. Five patients have died (11%). Three patients (7%) developed cholecystitis requiring cholecystectomy. No patients developed progressive liver failure. These results suggest that PN-related liver failure may be prevented in most patients with short bowel syndrome. Specific measures to prevent PN-related cholestatic jaundice need further investigation.