Long-term nutritional consequences of bowel segment use for lower urinary tract reconstruction in pediatric patients

Objectives. To identify whether nutritional abnormalities, specifically vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, folate deficiency, and low carotene levels, are long-term sequelae of the use of ileum and/or colon for lower urinary tract reconstruction in pediatric patients. Methods. Serum levels of vitamin B₁₂, methyl malonic acid (MMA), carotene, and folate were measured 3 to 13 years (mean 6) after surgery in patients less than 18 years old at the time of operation. Results. Thirteen (44.8%) of 29 patients had abnormal nutritional serum levels, with 5 (38.5%) of 13 having more than one abnormal value. Vitamin B₁₂ was low in 4 (14%) of 29 patients; MMA was abnormally high in 7 (26%) of 27; and both folate and carotene levels were low in 4 (14.8%) of 27. No patient with reconstruction with colon alone (n = 3) had abnormal values, and no patient had any clinical signs or symptoms of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency or fat malabsorption. Conclusions. Nutritional abnormalities can occur in patients after lower urinary tract reconstruction with ileum. No patient in this study had symptomatic abnormalities; however, long-term clinical effects may be significant. The implications of low folate levels in women of childbearing age must also be taken into consideration because of the potential association with congenital anomalies.