Causes of Short Bowel Syndrome


SBS can be split into two categories:

  1. Those that have congenital defects before birth
  2. Those that developed over time

In a large percentage of small bowel problem cases, surgical intervention is required to sustain life.  When a portion of your Small or Large Intestine is removed from your abdomen, this is called Surgical Resection.

Surgical Resection: When part of the bowel is removed and the two remaining ends are joined back together.

Surgical Resection is what can cause SBS, because without resection of the bowel, you do not have SBS. Remember, it is classified as Intestinal Failure.  Though SBS can occur in people with a complete bowel, most cases will develop after the surgical resection of the small bowel.

Conditions in Newborns/Pediatrics that may cause SBS


Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

Meconium Ileus

Midgut Volvulus

Gastroschisis

Omphalocele

Jejunoileal Atresia

Hirschprung’s Disease

Microvillus Inclusion Disease

Conditions in Adulthood that may lead to SBS


Crohn’s Disease

Intestinal Ischemia

Pseudo-obstruction

Trauma

Tumor