This study assessed the safety and efficacy of growth hormone (GH) and glutamine (GLN) combined with a modified (high-carbohydrate-low-fat, HCLF) diet in patients with short bowel syndrome. A meta-analysis of all the relevant clinical trials was performed. Clinical trials were identified from the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Chinese Bio-medicine Database. The search was undertaken in May 2004. Language was restricted to Chinese and English. Literature references were checked at the same time. Clinical trials were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers independently of each other. The statistical analysis was performed by RevMan4.2 software which was provided by the Cochrane Collaboration. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Thirteen trials involving 258 patients were included. The combined results showed that GH, GLN and HCLF diet had positive treatment effect on body weight (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 2.44, 95%CI [1.62, 3.27], P<0.00001), stool output (WMD = -376.49, 95%CI [-600.35, -152.63], P=0.001), lean body mass (WMD = 2.16, 95%CI [0.91, 3.41], P=0.0007), absorption of carbohydrates (WMD = 6.21, 95%CI [5.27, 7.15], P< 0.00001), absorption of nitrogen (WMD = 10.83, 95%CI [5.22, 16.44], P=0.0002), absorption of D-xylose (WMD = 0.37, 95%CI [0.29, 0.44], P<0.00001), and off TPN (total parenteral nutrition) (odds ratios [OR] = 64.63, 95%CI [15.51, 269.22], P<0.00001). But there were no improvements in fat mass (WMD = -1.50, 95%CI [-3.48, 0.48], P=0.14), absorption of energy (WMD = 7.48, 95%CI [-7.22, 22.17], P=0.32), and absorption of fat (WMD = 7.16, 95%CI [-2.95, 17.28], P=0.17). Most patients had side effects that are known to occur during treatment with high doses (0.14 mg/kg/day) of GH. No serious adverse effects occurred during active treatment with low doses (< or =0.1 mg/kg/day) of GH. Treatment with a combination of low-dose GH, GLN and HCLF diet is effective without any major adverse effects in patients with short bowel syndrome. Further trials are required, especially in children, with sufficient size and rigorous design.