Patient selection: short bowel syndrome with parenteral nutrition
Parameters:
(1) plasma citrulline in µmol/L
(2) small bowel length in centimeters
(3) percent enteral intake
estimated citrulline concentration based on bowel length =
= (0.06 * (bowel length in cm)) + 8.25
If this is rewritten:
bowel length in cm =
= (16.67 * (citrulline)) - 137.5
The measured length of small bowel and estimated length from plasma citrulline may differ because of factors such as motility, inflammation and other factors. Also there is data dispersion around the line estimate.
estimated percent enteral intake =
= (1.62 * (plasma citrulline)) + 24.82
The authors found that a plasma citrulline concentration of 15 µmol/L was associated with whether a child would become independent of parenteral nutrition. A plasma level > 15 µmol/L was associated with an enteral advancement rate of 2.4% per day vs 0.1% per day if less.
