Center for Advanced Intestinal Rehabilitation
To determine whether your child has short bowel syndrome, your child's doctor will take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination. Diagnostic tests may include a combination of the following:
Blood tests: to check the concentration of nutrients in the blood stream
Abdominal x-ray: a painless diagnostic test which uses radiation beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
Abdominal ultrasound: a painless diagnostic imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. Ultrasounds are used to view internal organs as they function, and to assess blood flow through various vessels.
Stool sample: to assess for the presence of infection or blood or also for the presence of non-absorbed sugar and protein.
Endoscopy: a test that uses a small, flexible tube that is inserted into the mouth and down the throat. Attached to the end of the tube are a light and a camera lens that are used to examine the inside of part of the digestive tract. Tissue samples from inside the digestive tract may also be taken for examination and testing. The test does not hurt but your child may feel slight discomfort. The doctor may spray a local anaesthetic into the back of the throat to numb the throat area. The test usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
Colonoscopy: a test that uses a long, flexible tube with a light and camera lens at the end (colonoscope) to examine inside the large intestine. Before the test, your child may be given a sedative to help him relax during the exam. He also may feel brief discomfort when the colonoscope is first inserted into the colon. The test usually takes about 30-45 minutes.
Indirect calorimetry: a test to analyze the energy (caloric) needs of your child.
Breath hydrogen analysis: a test to measure the degree of malabsorption of carbohydrates or sugars as well as to determine whether excess quantities of bacteria are growing inside of the bowel.
