The Use of Carbohydrate-free Milk for Oral Alimentation of Short Gut Secondary to Intestinal Atresia

Abstract

Our clinical experience and our experimental study suggested that administration of adequet nutrients is utmost important for successful management of short gut. Preferable formula for short gut must contein some amount of protein as one of the stimulator for hyperplasia of mucosal cells, and simple carbohydrate to prevent troublesome diarrhea due to carbohydrate intolerance. In addition, it must be low in osmolarity and contain less fat than the ordinary formula. The formula was made of carbohybrate-free milk and dextrin, which was hypo-osmotic (125 mOsm/l) even at full strength and contained no hazardous carbohydrate. It has been used for three patients with short gut secondary to apple-peel atresia. The length of remained small bowel was 26cm (from the pylorus), 36cm, 24cm respectively. The result was encouraging. They have not suffered from attacks of severe enteritis and have achieved a steady gain in weight.