From
Dr. Michael Helmrath
Xavier's journey from short bowel syndrome to eating again
With Dr. Michael Helmrath
Chapter 1 of 4
Initial diagnosis
Xavier's birth defect and initial diagnosis
Expert statements on this page
No expert statements were drawn from this page.
Host summaries · secondary, not cited in answers
Educational content from recorded physician discussions — not medical advice. Talk to your (or your child's) care team about your situation.
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What the experts said
Initial repair was performed at birth for the gastroschisis.
At five weeks, exploratory surgery revealed that all intestines that were on the outside of his body were not viable and had to be removed.
Short bowel syndrome diagnosis was made at five weeks of age following removal of non-viable intestinal tissue.
Patients with these conditions often require prolonged medical system involvement with multiple operations and very complicated care.
Xavier spent more time in the hospital than at home during his first three years.
Dr. Helmrath and team at Cincinnati Children's presented an alternative treatment option that offered hope.
Xavier was incapable of taking anything by mouth and was essentially completely obstructed.
The surgical goal was to reconstruct the intestine in a way that prevents obstruction that can happen with complex surgeries.
Xavier had ice cream for the first time at 10 years old following the surgery.
Xavier was born with gastroschisis, a condition causing his intestines to be on the outside of his body.
Xavier was unable to get nourishment through traditional feedings and required total parenteral nutrition (TPN) intravenously.
After years of TPN and multiple operations, the hometown hospital stated that other than transplant, there was nothing else they could do.
Dr. Helmrath successfully rebuilt Xavier's small intestine, enabling him to eat.
Xavier still needs TPN for supplemental nutrition as he grows.
Xavier will continue to be closely monitored by his care team at Cincinnati Children's.