Objective-This pilot study in parenteral nutrition (PN) dependent infants with short bowel syndrome (SBS) evaluated the impact of feeding route and intestinal permeability on bloodstream infection (BSI), small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SBBO) and systemic immune responses, and fecal calprotectin as a biomarker for SBBO.Study design-10 infants (ages 4.2-15.4 months) with SBS due to necrotizing enterocolitis were evaluated. Nutritional assessment, breath hydrogen testing, intestinal permeability, fecal calprotectin, serum flagellin-and LPS-specific antibody titers, and proinflammatory cytokine concentrations (TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-8) were performed at baseline, 60 and 120 days. Healthy, age-matched controls (n=5) were recruited.Results-BSI incidence was high (80%) and SBBO was common (50%). SBBO increased the odds for BSI (> 7-fold; p=0.009). Calprotectin levels were higher in children with SBS and SBBO versus those without SBBO and healthy controls (p<0.05). Serum TNF-α, was elevated at baseline versus controls. Serum TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6 and IL-8 levels diminished with increased enteral nutrition. Anti-flagellin and anti-LPS IgG levels in children with SBSwere lower versus controls and rose over time.Contact Information: Conrad R. Cole. M.D., M.P.H., M.Sc., Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Drive, Atlanta GA 30225, crcole@emory.edu, Phone: (404) Fax: (404) 727-4069. Edited by SL and WFB Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Conclusion-In children with SBS, SBBO increases the risk for BSI and systemic proinflammatory response decreases with increasing enteral feeding and weaning PN. NIH Public AccessShort bowel syndrome (SBS) is a rare but devastating clinical entity that is defined as a spectrum of diarrhea and malabsorption with associated complications (e.g. growth stunting, malnutrition) due to insufficient bowel length (1). In children, SBS is often the result of massive small bowel resection due to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or major congenital gastrointestinal malformations (e.g. gastroschisis, intestinal atresia) (2). Recurrent bloodstream infections (BSI) and small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SBBO) are believed to be common complications associated with pediatric SBS, though only limited data are available (2,3). We recently reported that BSI and malnutrition were the most frequent indication for readmission of very low birth weight infants with SBS (2). Inpatient admissions account for majority of the cost of care in pediatric...

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Background Conventional practice is to reduce or eliminate copper supplementation in the parenteral nutrition of infants with cholestasis due to the increased risk of hepatotoxicity. However, there are reports of copper deficiency in cholestatic infants due to copper reduction in their parenteral nutrition. Objectives 1) To determine the proportion of cholestatic infants who develop elevated serum copper while receiving a non-reduced dose of parenteral copper, 2) To evaluate potential clinical factors that affect serum copper in cholestatic infants, and 3) To evaluate the impact of serum copper on liver disease. Methods This is a retrospective review of 28 cholestatic infants receiving 20 mcg/kg/d of copper via parenteral nutrition. Age-adjusted references were used to determine normality of serum copper levels. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine predictors of serum copper and alanine aminotransferase. Results Serum copper levels were elevated in 2 infants (7%). On average, infants received 80% of their energy intake from parenteral nutrition for 3 months. Intestinal failure was present in 50% of the patients. Birth weight, gestational age and alanine aminotransferase were identified as predictors of serum copper (R2=0.53; p= 0.0001). Serum copper, gestational age and total bilirubin were associated with serum alanine aminotransferase (R2 = 0.43; p = 0.001). Conclusion Supplementation of parenteral copper at 20 mcg/kg/day does not lead to a significant increase in copper toxicity or worsening of liver disease in cholestatic infants.