Intestinal Failure

Intestinal failure in children is a very serious, rare and complex situation in which the small intestine doesn’t absorb enough of the fluids, vitamins and minerals the body needs to grow and develop. It’s caused by a number of intestinal problems and can be found in children from birth to the teen years. Early, expert evaluation and treatment is critical.

At Nemours Children's, our pediatric general surgeons and gastroenterologists are highly skilled in caring for children with intestinal failure. Our goal is to do everything in our power to restore your child’s bowel function and provide the independence and confidence for a happy, healthy life.

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Intestinal Failure

Intestinal failure in children is a very serious, rare and complex situation in which the small intestine doesn’t absorb enough of the fluids, vitamins and minerals the body needs to grow and develop. It’s caused by a number of intestinal problems and can be found in children from birth to the teen years. Early, expert evaluation and treatment is critical.

At Nemours Children's, our pediatric general surgeons and gastroenterologists are highly skilled in caring for children with intestinal failure. Our goal is to do everything in our power to restore your child’s bowel function and provide the independence and confidence for a happy, healthy life.

Contact Us
Intestinal Failure

Why Choose Us

Our medical, surgical and therapy teams work together closely to offer advanced nonsurgical treatments (nutritional management and intestinal rehabilitation) and leading-edge minimally invasive surgical procedures. In fact, Nemours surgeons are among a very few in the country who perform the innovative and minimally invasive, serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) bowel lengthening procedure. Our physicians are also consistently named among the Best Doctors in America® year after year, as well as "Top Doctors" by local magazines in our regions. We give you and your family support and guidance to understand your child’s condition, treatments and how to provide care when you get home.

Regional Care Highlights

Delaware Valley Highlights

Delaware/Greater Philadelphia

We offer complete care for children with intestinal failure at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware (Wilmington, Del.).

  • Surgeons experienced in intestinal failure procedures — including minimally invasive and traditional (“open”) surgery techniques
  • One of only a few pediatric hospitals in the country to offer the innovative and minimally invasive surgical technique serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP) for short bowel syndrome
  • Nemours Intestinal Failure Treatment program offers the possibility of nonsurgical treatments for children with intestinal failure
  • Ronald McDonald House of Delaware across from our hospital campus, for a convenient home away from home during longer hospital stays

Florida Highlights

Central Florida

We offer complete care for children with intestinal failure at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida (Orlando).

  • One of the only children’s hospitals in the Southeast to offer the minimally invasive treatment for short bowel syndrome called serial transverse enteroplasty (STEP)
  • The region’s only coordinated treatment center for pediatric intestinal failure in newborns, children and teenagers
  • Ronald McDonald House right on our campus, for an affordable home away from home during long hospital stays

Northeast Florida

We offer complete care for children with intestinal failure at Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville (working with Wolfson Children’s Hospital).

  • Specialized expertise with intestinal failure in newborns, children and teenagers
  • Surgeries performed at neighbor and collaborating hospital Wolfson Children’s Hospital, with follow-ups after surgery in the hospital and at Nemours Children's Health, Jacksonville 
  • Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville, for an affordable home away from home during long hospital stays
  • Academic and clinical affiliations with the University of Florida College of Medicine–Jacksonville and Mayo Clinic Florida

Find Care at Nemours

We have many pediatric specialists and locations — find the care closest to you: