The Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS) is one of the most serious and dangerous causes of malabsorption and the dietetic therapy is an important challenge to be faced. This study describes the oral dietetic therapy for all patients with Short Bowel Syndrome followed at the Metabolic Unit of the Nutrology Division of the Internal Medicine Department of the Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo. Twelve patients (7 men and 5 women), aged 55 ± 10 years old, were studied, for a period of 24 months. They received, along with parenteral support, oral nutrition, consisting of 7 or 8 small amounts of meals per day, with regular and short intervals between each meal. These meals were isocaloric, isoproteic and low in fat, simple sugar and insoluble fiber. The mean caloric offer was of 35 kcal/kg/day, with protein amounts of 1,5 g/kg/day. Initially 25 to 50% of the total planned values were given in 1 or 2 food items. Increases in the offer and in the food items were made according to the patient's adaptation. The total planned values were generally achieved after 40 to 50 days. Results showed that 59% of the patients followed the recommendations related to energetic intake and 100% had an adequate protein intake. Fifty per cent of the patients had normal Body Mass Index at the end of the study and 92% had normal levels of serum albumin. Considering the degree of malabsorption of these patients, the proposed nutritional program showed to be a positive approach in the treatment of Short Bowel Syndrome.
short bowel syndrome; nutritional therapy; nutritional assessment; protein-energy malnutrition
