Somatropin (rDNA origin) injection (Zorbtive) is a highly purified preparation of human growth hormone (GH) produced from a mammalian cell line by recombinant DNA technology. It is the only human GH approved for the treatment of short bowel syndrome in patients receiving specialised nutritional support. The process of intestinal adaptation begins immediately after surgery and continues for 2-3 years. During this period, the bowel begins to increase fluid and nutrient absorption. Under the influence of tropic factors, such as GH, intestinal adaptation is enhanced. Supplying a therapeutic regimen of GH, optimised diet and glutamine supplementation for 4 weeks to patients with short bowel syndrome who are dependent on parenteral nutrition, has been shown to reduce their long-term requirements for parenteral nutrition.