Nutritional Therapy – Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
Vitamin and mineral supplements may be required, especially in patients not receiving parenteral nutrition. Since nutrient absorption is impaired, patients may require doses of vitamins and minerals that are higher than the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Monitoring patients to assess specific needs is done on an ongoing basis. In general, full supplements of vitamins; minerals including calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron; and trace elements may be required to compensate for the malabsorption that is common in SBS. Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin USP) should be given to prevent the hematological and neurological consequences of vitamin deficiency. Vitamin B12 is typically administered by injection, but is now also available for once weekly intranasal administration as Nascobal® (cyanocobalamin USP).
This information
is provided as a general educational service
and is not intended to recommend any particular treatment plan
or to replace the advice of physicians. It is important that patients
seek and rely on the advice of a healthcare professional
about their individual medical conditions.
