Intestinal transplant program

Nutrition before and after intestinal transplantation

Proper nutrition and diet are necessary for all children to grow. Children who have had intestinal failure are more likely to have trouble maintaining proper growth and nutrition. Therefore, it is important to follow the nutritional plan set by the intestinal transplantation team before and after transplant.

Nutrition before your child's intestinal transplant

The need for intestinal transplantation is often preceded by short bowel syndrome (SBS), which may cause problems such as diarrhea, dehydration, and poor growth. Food allergies may also be more prevalent in infants and children with SBS.

Nutrition prior to transplant is very important to maintain growth and development. It can be difficult to maintain adequate nutrition since the intestine is responsible for absorbing about 90 percent of the nutrients and fluids the body needs. The amount of intestine remaining affects energy, protein, and vitamin and mineral needs.

Sometimes nutrition support in the form of formulas or intravenous nutrition (i.e. TPN) may be used to promote normal growth and development. Common formulas used with the diagnosis of SBS are amino-acid based formulas, meaning that the proteins are already broken down to make digestion and absorption easier. If the infant/child is not able to eat or drink, formula may be given through a tube.

Here are some tips to help maintain nutritional health before a transplant:

• Avoid concentrated sweets such as juice, soda, candy, fruit-flavored baby foods.
• Avoid foods that contain milk, including cheese and yogurt.
• Use a formula such as Neocate or Elecare as recommended by your medical team; the medical team may instruct you to increase calories per ounce of formula if necessary.
• Your child may need extra water or Pedialyte to stay well-hydrated.
• Use a vitamin and/or mineral supplements as directed by your medical team.

Nutrition after intestinal transplant

Here are some things to remember about nutrition after your child's intestinal transplant:

• Your child may need intravenous nutrition (TPN) in the days following the transplant.
• If your child required tube feeding prior to the transplant, they will probably continue to need some form of tube feeding after the transplant.
• If your child is eating, they will probably need to continue to avoid concentrated sweets (juice, soda, candy, etc.).
• Your child will also need to continue to avoid milk and foods that contain milk, at least for a period of time after the transplant.
• Your child may need a vitamin or mineral supplement; your medical team will make appropriate recommendations.
• If your child has not been eating, you may want to consider speech therapy to encourage eating by mouth.
• Your child may need extra water or Pedialyte to stay hydrated.

Content last reviewed: July 2009