Bone mineral content (BMC) was monitored in 15 patients with short bowel syndrome receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Thirteen patients had Crohn's disease and 2 ulcerative colitis (mean age 36 years, range 23-69 years). During the study the patients received HPN for a mean period of 62 months, range 20-106 months. At the time of inclusion the patients had a significantly reduced BMC of lumbar spine and femoral neck compared to normals (Z-scores = -3.35 +/- 3.49, p < 0.05 and Z-score = -2.23 +/- 2.11, p < 0.05). During HPN the Z-score of lumbar spine BMC decreased in 8 patients and increased slightly or was unchanged in 7 patients. The mean Z-score of BMC of lumbar spine declined by 1.46 +/- 2.48 (p < 0.05) and the Z-score of femoral neck BMC declined by 0.831 +/- 1.14 (p < 0.05). This corresponds to a yearly decrease of lumbar spine BMC of 4%. There was no correlation between the decline in BMC during the study and the period of length the patients were on HPN. We conclude that patients on HPN have a low bone mineral density and that the bone loss continues during prolonged HPN.