Intestinal Rehabilitation Program
The Intestinal Rehabilitation Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) cares for and treats infants and children with shortened bowel lengths. The cause of this is different for each patient. Our team focuses on maintaining growth and development and assisting in intestinal adaptation. Most patients meet our team during the infant stage following either a bowel resection or congenital condition. Others meet us during childhood following a larger bowel resection that results from disease, trauma or infection.
Each segment of bowel is responsible for the absorption of different vitamins, nutrients and fluids. Infants and children missing these segments cannot independently maintain the oral food and fluid intake needed for growth. They must rely on IV nutrition. Over time – and with medical treatment and supportive therapies – many children with intestinal failure can gain enough bowel function to eliminate the need for IV nutrition.
How we serve you
Our expert team works with patients and their families to support nutritional and medical needs, helping your child become more independent. Through long-term medical management, medication, diet and nutritional therapy, vitamin and mineral supplements, surgery and other interventions, your child can thrive. Collaboration is critical for patients’ long-term success.
Conditions we treat
The Intestinal Rehabilitation Program treats children with shortened bowel length that affects their growth and nutritional status, including the conditions listed below.
Why choose us
The Intestinal Rehabilitation Program at CHOP is led by a multidisciplinary team of dedicated experts. Together, we successfully manage complex nutritional and medical or surgical needs for pediatric patients with short or malformed intestines.
Meet our team
Our experienced team of gastroenterologists, surgeons, nurses and nutritionists are experts at treating children with short bowel syndrome and associated intestinal failure. We provide complete and individualized care tailored to your child.
Our location
Discover the Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care, a convenient CHOP location where you and your family can meet with top gastroenterologists.
See our research
A key part of the Intestinal Rehabilitation Program’s mission includes ongoing research, seeking innovative new ways to support patients with short bowel disorders.
Intestinal Rehabilitation resources
As part of our ongoing commitment to our patients, we offer access to a variety of additional resources intended to support families caring for children with intestinal conditions, especially those requiring special nutrition and feeding needs.
Webinar: Short gut syndrome
An informative lecture on short bowel syndrome, part of CHOP's continuing education program for professionals supporting patients with intestinal rehabilitation needs.
Your donation changes lives
A gift of any size helps us make life-saving breakthroughs for children everywhere.
