Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition arising when a significant portion of a patient’s small intestine is removed as a result of a chronic underlying condition or trauma. In SBS, the remaining intestine is unable to sufficiently absorb electrolytes, water or necessary nutrients. Until recently, standard treatment for SBS consisted of parenteral nutrition, which replaces the nutrients not absorbed by the shortened small intestine with a nutrient mix delivered directly to the bloodstream.
SBS can be treated with recombinant human growth hormone. The first new therapeutic option in this indication for more than 35 years, Merck Serono’s recombinant human growth hormone Zorbtive™ is approved by the FDA for use in the United States for the treatment of SBS in patients receiving specialized nutritional support.
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