Long-Term Cognitive Functions in Neonatal Short Bowel Syndrome Patients

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term effects of neonatal short bowel syndrome on cognitive functions during development. Subjects and Methods: Nine patients diagnosed with short bowel syndrome during the neonatal period were enrolled in this study. Their medical records were reviewed; anthropometric measurements and blood tests were assayed; IQ tests (the Chinese versions of WAIS‐R, WPPSI‐R and WISC-R) were performed depending on their age, and a BSID assessment was carried out in those patients less than 4 years old. Results: Eight of 9 patients were followed up except for one patient who died in a car accident at the age of three. All patients had been weaned off parenteral nutrition for more than 2 years. The average residual small bowel length was 58.1 cm (range 35 - 70 cm), and the mean parenteral nutrition (PN) duration was 73.1 days (43 - 147 days). The mean duration of the period without PN was 7.4 years (range 2.1 - 17.1 years). Weight, height and BMI for age were normal in 7 children except for 1 child, who was overweight. Hemoglobin and albumin concentrations were normal in all 8 patients. Evaluation of cognitive development showed normal results for all 8 patients while a verbal/performance discrepancy was found in 2. Conclusion: Patients with neonatal SBS who were weaned off PN for more than 2 years were found to have normal growth and cognitive development during this long-term follow-up. There was no evidence for a strong correlation between SBS and nutritional/cognition disorder. Longer term and controlled studies with a larger sample size are warranted.

short bowel syndrome - cognitive assessment - long‐term follow‐up - neonate

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