Optimizing peripubertal growth in a child with short bowel syndrome on full oral feeding with glucagon-like peptide 2 analog.

Abstract

Teduglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) analog which acts by increasing intestinal absorption of the remnant bowel for children with short bowel syndrome (SBS) dependent on parenteral nutrition. We present a 13-year-old male patient with type 2 SBS (55 cm of jejunum) from necrotizing enterocolitis on full oral feeding from the age of 12 months. Because of faltering growth from the age of 11 despite oral hyperphagia, he started Teduglutide at the standard dose. Eighteen months after Teduglutide start the young boy gained 10 kg in weight and 13 cm in height with a significant reduction in bowel distension. No adverse events were reported during the treatment. Pubertal spurt might be impaired in children with SBS on full oral feeding if the caloric need is not met by the residual intestinal absorption rate. GLP-2 analog might represent an option to sustain pubertal spurt in SBS children on full oral feeding with hyperphagia.