Caring for children with intestinal failure

The Intestinal Rehabilitation Program at Children’s Wisconsin treats children who cannot absorb enough nutrients through their gastrointestinal tract to allow the child to grow and develop normally. These children require nutrition through the vein (parenteral nutrition) in order to achieve adequate hydration and nutrients.

Common causes of intestinal failure include surgical removal of parts of the intestine in little babies, and in others, failure of the intestine to move properly (motility disorders). Intestinal failure is a complex condition where children need nutrition given through the bloodstream often in combination with tube feeding. These children may benefit from surgical interventions and do best when managed as a multidisciplinary team.

The Intestinal Rehabilitation Program at Children’s Wisconsin includes pediatric gastrointestinal physicians, dieticians, nurse clinicians, social workers, central venous access experts, surgeons, interventional radiologists and speech therapists.