Short bowel syndrome is a failure of the intestines to adequately absorb fluids, nutrients and energy. In children these malabsorption problems lead to decreased growth. Short bowel syndrome is a long-term illness in the treatment of which a child’s parents have a great responsibility starting from when the child is discharged from hospital. In order for parents to be able to answer the special needs of their child’s illness, nursing staff need to sufficiently inform the parents about the reasons leading to short bowel syndrome, the symptoms and the different types of treatments.

The aim of our bachelor’s thesis was to create an easily readable guide in plain language for parents with children suffering from short bowel syndrome. The purpose was to offer parents up-to-date information about their child’s illness, improve the family’s adjustment to their new life situation and to make it easier for the parents to survive with the child’s illness after being discharged from hospital. This written guide was first and foremost made to accompany and supplement the oral guidance parents get from the health care providers, not to replace it. The guide was created together with the paediatric intensive care unit of Oulu University Hospital.

The content of the guide was based on source books and other literature. The sources used were both internal and international, including books, articles and research results. While writing the guide we familiarized ourselves with paediatric and family nursing, normal anatomy and physiology of the intestines and short bowel syndrome as an illness. The finished guide is 24 pages long and it explains in plain language the aetiology of short bowel syndrome, most common symptoms and different types of treatments.