The short bowel syndrome is a clinical picture, consisting of malabsorption and failure to thrive, in consequence of a resection of more than 50% of the small bowel, with or without resection of a part of the colon. The etiology, pathophysiology, treatment and natural history are discussed, as well as complications and ultimate prognosis. A review of the literature and own retrospective investigation prove, that after an extensive small bowel resection in the neonatal period, normal stools, growth and development can occur in 1-3 years. In the first, postoperative period however, these patients suffer from considerable malabsorption, deficiencies of vitamins and trace elements, as well as complications of total parenteral nutrition and recurrent infections.