Progression in children with intestinal failure at a referral hospital in Medellín, Colombia

BackgroundPatients with intestinal failure are unable to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration due to a reduction in the functional area of the intestine. Different strategies have the potential to benefit these patients by promoting intestinal autonomy, enhancing quality of life, and increasing survival.AimsTo describe the clinical characteristics of children with intestinal failure and disease progression in terms of intestinal autonomy and survival.Materials and methodsA retrospective study was conducted, evaluating 33 pediatric patients with intestinal failure that were hospitalized within the time frame of December 2005 and December 2013 at a tertiary care referral center. Patient characteristics were described upon hospital admission, estimating the probability of achieving intestinal autonomy and calculating the survival rate.ResultsPatient median age upon hospital admission was 2 months (interquartile range [IQR]: 1-4 months) and 54.5% of the patients were boys. Intestinal autonomy was achieved in 69.7% of the cases with a median time of 148 days (IQR: 63 - 431 days), which decreased to 63 days in patients with a spared ileocecal valve. Survival was 91% during a median follow-up of 281 days (IQR: 161 - 772 days).ConclusionsMedical management of patients with intestinal failure is complex. Nutritional support and continuous monitoring are of the utmost importance and long-term morbidity and mortality depends on the early recognition and management of the associated complications