Beyond enteral feedings: Teduglutide and its role in gut resiliency

Teduglutide is a glucagon‐like peptide‐2 (GLP‐2) analog that promotes intestinal adaptation with a goal of reducing dependence on parenteral nutrition (PN) in those with short bowel syndrome (SBS). We describe a 2‐year‐old, born at 26 weeks gestation, with a history of PN dependency due to recurrent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and secondary small bowel resections resulting in 90 cm of small bowel (without ileocecal valve, intact colon), who demonstrated a remarkable response to teduglutide. The patient herein had full discontinuation of PN in 1 month with enhanced immunity to gastrointestinal (GI) illness with the use of GLP‐2 analog. This case offers new insight into teduglutide, potentially augmenting intestinal immunity. This patient revealed heightened response to GI infections while on teduglutide, yet poor tolerance to the same infection with missed dosing. To our knowledge, this is the first report on teduglutide possibly augmenting immunity.