Digestive Disorders and Gastroenterology

Short Bowel Syndrome

Short bowel syndrome is a group of problems related to poor absorption of nutrients. Short bowel syndrome typically occurs in people who have

• had at least half of their small intestine removed and sometimes all or part of their large intestine removed
• significant damage of the small intestine
• poor motility, or movement, inside the intestines

Short bowel syndrome may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how well the small intestine is working.