Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.  2012 Sep;15(3):127-137.

Current Status of Intestinal Failure and Intestinal Transplantation

• Ko JS

Abstract

Pediatric intestinal failure occurs secondary to short bowel syndrome, motility disorders, or malabsorption. The establishment of an intestinal rehabilitation program and the introduction of innovative surgical and medical treatments, such as the serial transverse enteroplasty procedure and omega-3-containing lipid emulsions, have been major advances in the treatment of intestinal failure. Intestinal transplantation is now established as a therapeutic modality in selected children with irreversible intestinal failure. The improved short to intermediate term survival of intestinal transplant recipients in the last decade can be attributed to immunosuppression with a lymphocyte-depleting agent, control of acute cellular rejection, and comprehensive infection control with careful monitoring of viral pathogens including cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus.

Keyword

Intestinal failure; Short bowel syndrome; Intestinal transplantation; Child; Survival

MeSH Terms

Child
Cytomegalovirus
Emulsions
Herpesvirus 4, Human
Humans
Immunosuppression
Infection Control
Rejection (Psychology)
Short Bowel Syndrome
Transplants
Emulsions