To describe the natural history of growth patterns and nutritional support in a cohort of infants with short bowel syndrome (SBS), and to characterize risk factors for suboptimal growth.

A retrospective chart review of 51 infants with SBS followed by our intestinal rehabilitation program. Weight and length data were converted to age, sex, and gestational age-standardized weight-for-age z-scores (WAZ) and length-for-age z-scores (LAZ).

Median (IQR) age at enrollment was 8.3 (0.9-14.6) weeks, and follow-up duration was 10 (8-13) months, including both inpatient and outpatient visits. Both WAZ and LAZ followed a U-shaped curve, with median for newborns (WAZ = −0.28; LAZ = −0.41), a nadir at age 6 months (−2.38 and −2.18), and near recovery by age 1 year (−0.72 and −0.76). Using multivariable regression analysis, diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis was independently associated with significant decrements of WAZ (−0.76 ± 0.32; P = .02) and LAZ (−1.24 ± 0.32; P = .0001). ≥2 central line–associated bloodstream infections was also independently associated with decreases in WAZ (−0.95 ± 0.33; P = .004) and LAZ (−0.86 ± 0.32; P = .007).

In a cohort of infants with SBS, we observed a unique pattern of somatic growth, with concomitant deceleration of both WAZ and LAZ and near recovery by 1 year. Inflammatory conditions (necrotizing enterocolitis and central line–associated bloodstream infections) represent potentially modifiable risk factors for suboptimal somatic growth.