Latest news with #S.G.V.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
What is short bowel syndrome? How serious is it?
When 4-year-old S.G.V. appeared at a recent press conference in Los Angeles, she seemed like any other preschooler—quietly coloring and playing cards. But the backpack strapped to her shoulders told a different story. Inside it was the equipment delivering life-sustaining nutrition directly into her bloodstream, a treatment known as Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN). S.G.V. lives with short bowel syndrome (SBS), a rare but serious condition that makes her unable to absorb nutrients from food. Without the nightly intravenous nutrition she receives in the U.S., doctors say she would not survive more than a few days. Her case recently drew national attention because of a change to her family's immigration status, which threatens to interrupt the care that keeps her alive. But beyond the legal battle is a far more urgent medical issue: What exactly is short bowel syndrome, and why is it so dangerous? What is Short Bowel Syndrome? According to the Mayo Clinic, short bowel syndrome is a condition in which the body cannot absorb enough nutrients from the food you eat because part of the small intestine is missing or damaged. The small intestine is where most nutrients are absorbed during digestion. When a large portion of it is removed or doesn't function properly, the body can't get enough protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, or minerals to survive. SBS can happen in two ways: A person is born with part of the intestine missing or damaged. A person has to have large sections of the small intestine surgically removed due to conditions like Crohn's disease, cancer, trauma, or blood clots in the intestinal arteries. How does it affect the body? The Cleveland Clinic explains that while the body has some ability to adapt to small intestinal changes, losing too much—especially the jejunum or ileum—makes it very difficult to absorb nutrients. In many cases, the ileum (the final portion of the small intestine) can take over some of the roles of the missing segments. But when too much of the intestine is gone, even that adaptation isn't enough. In infants like S.G.V., this can lead to severe malnutrition, dehydration, and growth failure. Symptoms in children Signs of short bowel syndrome in children include: Chronic diarrhea or loose, watery stool Bloating and excessive gas Fatigue Foul-smelling stool Poor weight gain or failure to grow These symptoms come from the body's inability to digest and absorb essential nutrients, fluids, and electrolytes. How is Short Bowel Syndrome treated? Dietary Changes Children with milder forms of SBS may benefit from frequent small meals, high-calorie foods, and supplements of vitamins and minerals. They may need to avoid certain foods that are hard to digest, such as those high in fat, sugar, or fiber. However, in more severe cases—like S.G.V.'s—diet alone is not enough. Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) TPN is a method of delivering nutrients directly into the bloodstream through a special IV catheter, bypassing the digestive system entirely. The fluid contains carbohydrates, protein, fats, electrolytes, and vitamins. This is the primary treatment for children with severe SBS. It is often given overnight for 12–16 hours to allow children to be mobile during the day. As in S.G.V.'s case, some children use portable TPN backpacks, which allow them to attend school or go outside while still receiving nutrition. 'If her treatment is interrupted, she will die within days,' said Gina Amato, the family's attorney, to NBC News. However, long-term use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) can lead to several serious complications. These include bacterial infections, issues with the intravenous catheter, and blood clots. Over time, TPN may also reduce the body's ability to absorb calcium into the bones, increasing the risk of bone weakening. It can contribute to gallbladder disease, kidney damage, and liver problems. In severe cases, these complications may progress to kidney or liver failure. Enteral feeding (Tube Feeding) Some children also need a feeding tube inserted into the stomach or intestines to get liquid nutrition. This may be used in combination with TPN to encourage the intestines to function as much as possible. Complications of Short Bowel Syndrome Because the body can't absorb nutrients the usual way, SBS comes with serious health risks: Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies Electrolyte imbalance (sodium, potassium, magnesium) Dehydration Gallstones Kidney stones Liver disease from long-term TPN Infections related to central IV lines In infants, complications like cholestasis (bile backup in the liver) and intestinal failure-associated liver disease are particularly dangerous. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Democrats urge DHS to reinstate legal status of Bakersfield 4-year-old facing deportation, death
Lawmakers this week condemned the Trump administration's termination of humanitarian protections that have left a 4-year-old girl who is receiving critical medical treatment in Los Angeles vulnerable to deportation and death. On Tuesday, The Times published the story of S.G.V., who has short bowel syndrome — a rare condition that prevents her body from completely absorbing nutrients. She and her parents received temporary permission to enter the U.S. legally through Tijuana in 2023. Read more: 4-year-old Bakersfield girl facing deportation could die within days of losing medical care In a letter Thursday to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, 38 congressional Democrats, including California Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, urged her to reconsider the termination of the family's legal status. "We believe this family's situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision," the lawmakers wrote. "It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless." Last month, S.G.V.'s family, who now live in Bakersfield, received notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that their status had been terminated and that they had to leave the country immediately. Earlier this month, they applied again for humanitarian protections. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement that the family is not actively in the deportation process and that their application is still being considered. The girl's physician, Dr. John Arsenault of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, wrote in a letter requested by her family that any interruption in her daily nutrition system "could be fatal within a matter of days.' The story about S.G.V. drew swift public outcry. An online fundraiser for the girl's care had amassed nearly $26,000 as of Thursday morning. The letter to Noem was led by Reps. Luz Rivas (D-North Hollywood) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles). Rivas said state legislators and constituents messaged her about the family, asking what she could do to help. While the family lives outside of Rivas' district, which encompasses the north-central San Fernando Valley, she said it is her role as a California Democrat and a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to speak up for immigrant constituents in districts where Republican representatives may not do so. "That's why we're organizing as members of Congress," Rivas said. "Without action from Secretary Noem and this administration, this little girl will die within days." Read more: Father ripped from family as agents target immigration courts, arresting people after cases dismissed In a post on X, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) called the situation "heartbreaking." Seeking to deport the girl despite her medical condition is "cruel and inexcusable," Chu added. In another X post, Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) wrote: "Trump wants to deport a four-year-old who could die from a life-threatening medical condition if her treatment is interrupted. How does this cruelty make us a stronger nation?" The family and their attorneys held a news conference Wednesday at the Koreatown office of the pro bono firm, Public Counsel. The lawyers explained that the equipment administered by the hospital to S.G.V. for home use is not available outside the U.S. "If they deport us and they take away my daughter's access to specialized medical care, she will die," said Deysi Vargas. Attorneys for the family noted that S.G.V. is not the only child affected in recent months by the Trump administration's immigration policies. In an attempt to speed up arrests and deportations, they said, children are needlessly being swept up in the process. Gina Amato Lough, directing attorney at Public Counsel, said the girl's case "is a symbol of the recklessness of this administration's deportation policies." "We're seeing a pattern of cruelty and a violation of our most treasured rights and values," said Amato Lough. "These are people coming to us for protection, and instead we're sending them to die. That's not justice, and it doesn't make us any safer." Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Democrats urge DHS to reinstate legal status of Bakersfield 4-year-old facing deportation, death
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers this week condemned the Trump administration's termination of humanitarian protections that have left a 4-year-old girl who is receiving critical medical treatment in Los Angeles vulnerable to deportation and death. On Tuesday, The Times published the story of S.G.V., who has short bowel syndrome — a rare condition that prevents her body from completely absorbing nutrients. She and her parents received temporary permission to enter the U.S. legally through Tijuana in 2023. In a letter Thursday to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, 38 congressional Democrats, including California Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, urged her to reconsider the termination of the family's legal status. 'We believe this family's situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision,' the lawmakers wrote. 'It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless.' Last month, S.G.V.'s family, who now live in Bakersfield, received notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that their status had been terminated and that they had to leave the country immediately. Earlier this month, they applied again for humanitarian protections. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary in the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement that the family is not actively in the deportation process and that their application is still being considered. The girl's physician, Dr. John Arsenault of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, wrote in a letter requested by her family that any interruption in her daily nutrition system 'could be fatal within a matter of days.' The story about S.G.V. drew swift public outcry. An online fundraiser for the girl's care had amassed nearly $26,000 as of Thursday morning. The letter to Noem was led by Reps. Luz Rivas (D-North Hollywood) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles). Rivas said state legislators and constituents messaged her about the family, asking what she could do to help. While the family lives outside of Rivas' district, which encompasses the north-central San Fernando Valley, she said she it is her role as a California Democrat and a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to speak up for immigrant constituents in districts where Republican representatives may not do so. 'That's why we're organizing as members of Congress,' Rivas said. 'Without action from Secretary Noem and this administration, this little girl will die within days.' In a post on X, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) called the situation 'heartbreaking.' Seeking to deport the girl despite her medical condition is 'cruel and inexcusable,' Chu added. In another X post, Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) wrote: 'Trump wants to deport a four-year-old who could die from a life-threatening medical condition if her treatment is interrupted. How does this cruelty make us a stronger nation?' The family and their attorneys held a news conference Wednesday at the Koreatown office of the pro bono firm, Public Counsel. The lawyers explained that the equipment administered by the hospital to S.G.V. for home use is not available outside the U.S. 'If they deport us and they take away my daughter's access to specialized medical care, she will die,' said Deysi Vargas. Attorneys for the family noted that S.G.V. is not the only child affected in recent months by the Trump administration's immigration policies. In an attempt to speed up arrests and deportations, they said, children are needlessly being swept up in the process. Gina Amato Lough, directing attorney at Public Counsel, said the girl's case 'is a symbol of the recklessness of this administration's deportation policies.' 'We're seeing a pattern of cruelty and a violation of our most treasured rights and values,' said Amato Lough. 'These are people coming to us for protection, and instead we're sending them to die. That's not justice, and it doesn't make us any safer.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
4-year-old girl's life-saving treatment at risk after family's legal immigration status is revoked
A Mexican girl is at risk of losing access to the life-saving treatment she has been receiving in Los Angeles after her family's legal immigration status was abruptly revoked. Her family is now fighting to have their status reinstated. 'If they deport us and take away my daughter's access to her specialized care, she will die,' Deysi Vargas, the girl's mother, said Wednesday in her native Spanish during a news conference. Her 4-year-old daughter, who is being identified only by the initials S.G.V., was born with a defect in her small intestines known as short bowel syndrome. The condition does not allow her body to absorb nutrients from regular food. Instead, the girl receives all the nutrients she needs intravenously through a treatment known as Total Parenteral Nutrition, or TPN. "The doctors that are treating her have stated very clearly that if her treatment is interrupted, she will die within days," Gina Amato, an attorney for the family, told NBC News. "This is a classic example where deportation would equal death for this child. It is a very desperate situation.' To prevent malnutrition, S.G.V. receives her TPN treatment each night at home for at least 14 hours, the mother and her attorneys said. During the day, when the girl goes to pre-school or accompanies her mother to the supermarket, S.G.V. wears a portable version of the treatment in a backpack. At least four times a day, Vargas spends one hour connecting her daughter to gastric tubes that attach to the backpack containing the nutrients she needs. The company that manufactures the equipment that delivers the intravenous nutrition the girl needs does "not allow the equipment to travel outside the United States," Amato said at the news conference, adding that few places outside the U.S. can safely and effectively administer this treatment. Before coming to the United States nearly two years ago, S.G.V. 'was in really terrible shape and was having a very difficult time surviving,' Amato said. The girl had been receiving medical care in Mexico, spending many hours in a hospital bed receiving her nutrients intravenously, according to Amato and Vargas. S.G.V. was "not growing or getting any better," Vargas said. Desperate to get better medical care for their daughter, Vargas and her partner used the now-defunct CBP One app on July 2023 to legally enter the U.S. through the southern border. The family was then granted humanitarian parole for the purpose of seeking medical treatment for S.G.V. The girl was quickly taken to a hospital in San Diego upon their arrival because she was in such poor health, the family and their attorneys said. A year later, she was referred to the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, which has one of the nation's best gastroenterology programs. Doctors there have been caring for S.G.V. for the past year, also monitoring the TPN treatment she receives. "Now, with the help my daughter receives in the United States, my daughter has the opportunity to leave the hospital, see the world, and live like a child her age," Vargas said. S.G.V. was at the news conference with her TPN backpack. She spent most of the time playing cards and making some arts and crafts to show how the treatment has helped improve her quality of life. According to the family's legal team, the family's humanitarian parole was set to expire at the end of July and Vargas was fighting to get it extended. But last month, the family received a notice via email from the Department of Homeland Security terminating their parole and work authorization. "If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States — unless you have otherwise obtained a lawful basis to remain here," the notice, which was obtained by NBC News, reads. 'Clearly they did not give individualized consideration to this case, because had they done so,' Amato told NBC News, 'we believe that they would not have made this decision given the really poor condition of this child.' The notice also said, "DHS encourages you to leave immediately on your own," using the CBP Home mobile app, which has a self-deportation feature. The notice did not state a reason for revoking the family's parole other than DHS "exercising its discretion." According to attorneys at Public Counsel, the legal firm representing the family, no one in the family has any convictions. But the girl's father, who is not married to Vargas, has a pending charge stemming from "a misunderstanding at the San Diego hospital when he raised his voice" when discussing his daughter's care in an area "where he did not understand he could not be loud." Attorneys believe the charge will likely "be dismissed because he's complying with the anger management classes the courts requested of him," they said. "This does not influence the legality of Deysi's case." Believing the DHS notice was perhaps sent by mistake, attorneys for the family wrote a letter to federal immigration authorities on May 9. "They have not violated the terms of their parole," the letter, which was obtained by NBC News, reads. "We believe this notice was issued in error. Please correct this error." Still, the family continued receiving notices about their parole's termination, Amato said during the press conference. So, they filed a new application for humanitarian parole through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The agency did not respond to a request for comment. A senior DHS official insisted to NBC News via email that reports about the family "actively being deported are FALSE. This family applied with USCIS for humanitarian parole on May 14, 2025, and the application is still being considered.' In the meantime, 'the family is very much in limbo, and they're terrified,' Amato said. 'They're no longer in status and they're no longer authorized to work in the U.S. So, they face many fears.' This article was originally published on
NBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- NBC News
4-year-old girl's life-saving treatment at risk after family's legal immigration status is revoked
A Mexican girl is at risk of losing access to the life-saving treatment she has been receiving in Los Angeles after her family's legal immigration status was abruptly revoked. Her family is now fighting to have their status reinstated. 'If they deport us and take away my daughter's access to her specialized care, she will die,' Deysi Vargas, the girl's mother, said Wednesday in her native Spanish during a news conference. Her 4-year-old daughter, who is being identified only by the initials S.G.V., was born with a defect in her small intestines known as short bowel syndrome. The condition does not allow her body to absorb nutrients from regular food. Instead, the girl receives all the nutrients she needs intravenously through a treatment known as Total Parenteral Nutrition, or TPN. "The doctors that are treating her have stated very clearly that if her treatment is interrupted, she will die within days," Gina Amato, an attorney for the family, told NBC News. "This is a classic example where deportation would equal death for this child. It is a very desperate situation.' To prevent malnutrition, S.G.V. receives her TPN treatment each night at home for at least 14 hours, the mother and her attorneys said. During the day, when the girl goes to pre-school or accompanies her mother to the supermarket, S.G.V. wears a portable version of the treatment in a backpack. At least four times a day, Vargas spends one hour connecting her daughter to gastric tubes that attach to the backpack containing the nutrients she needs. The company that manufactures the equipment that delivers the intravenous nutrition the girl needs does "not allow the equipment to travel outside the United States," Amato said at the news conference, adding that few places outside the U.S. can safely and effectively administer this treatment. Before coming to the United States nearly two years ago, S.G.V. 'was in really terrible shape and was having a very difficult time surviving,' Amato said. The girl had been receiving medical care in Mexico, spending many hours in a hospital bed receiving her nutrients intravenously, according to Amato and Vargas. S.G.V. was "not growing or getting any better," Vargas said. Desperate to get better medical care for their daughter, Vargas and her partner used the now-defunct CBP One app on July 2023 to legally enter the U.S. through the southern border. The family was then granted humanitarian parole for the purpose of seeking medical treatment for S.G.V. The girl was quickly taken to a hospital in San Diego upon their arrival because she was in such poor health, the family and their attorneys said. A year later, she was referred to the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, which has one of the nation's best gastroenterology programs. Doctors there have been caring for S.G.V. for the past year, also monitoring the TPN treatment she receives. "Now, with the help my daughter receives in the United States, my daughter has the opportunity to leave the hospital, see the world, and live like a child her age," Vargas said. S.G.V. was at the news conference with her TPN backpack. She spent most of the time playing cards and making some arts and crafts to show how the treatment has helped improve her quality of life. According to the family's legal team, the family's humanitarian parole was set to expire at the end of July and Vargas was fighting to get it extended. But last month, the family received a notice via email from the Department of Homeland Security terminating their parole and work authorization. "If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States — unless you have otherwise obtained a lawful basis to remain here," the notice, which was obtained by NBC News, reads. 'Clearly they did not give individualized consideration to this case, because had they done so,' Amato told NBC News, 'we believe that they would not have made this decision given the really poor condition of this child.' The notice also said, "DHS encourages you to leave immediately on your own," using the CBP Home mobile app, which has a self-deportation feature. The notice did not state a reason for revoking the family's parole other than DHS "exercising its discretion." According to attorneys at Public Counsel, the legal firm representing the family, no one in the family has any convictions. But the girl's father, who is not married to Vargas, has a pending charge stemming from "a misunderstanding at the San Diego hospital when he raised his voice" when discussing his daughter's care in an area "where he did not understand he could not be loud." Attorneys believe the charge will likely "be dismissed because he's complying with the anger management classes the courts requested of him," they said. "This does not influence the legality of Deysi's case." Believing the DHS notice was perhaps sent by mistake, attorneys for the family wrote a letter to federal immigration authorities on May 9. "They have not violated the terms of their parole," the letter, which was obtained by NBC News, reads. "We believe this notice was issued in error. Please correct this error." Still, the family continued receiving notices about their parole's termination, Amato said during the press conference. So, they filed a new application for humanitarian parole through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The agency did not respond to a request for comment. A senior DHS official insisted to NBC News via email that reports about the family "actively being deported are FALSE. This family applied with USCIS for humanitarian parole on May 14, 2025, and the application is still being considered.' In the meantime, 'the family is very much in limbo, and they're terrified,' Amato said. 'They're no longer in status and they're no longer authorized to work in the U.S. So, they face many fears.'
