Malabsorption

Definition:

Difficulty in the digestion or absorption of nutrients from food substances.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Malabsorption can be the result of a broad spectrum of diseases. Typically, malabsorption can be the failure to absorb specific sugars, fats, proteins, or other nutrients (such as vitamins) or it can include a general nonspecific malabsorption. Diarrhea, bloating or cramping, failure to thrive, frequent bulky stools, muscle wasting, and a distended abdomen may accompany malabsorption.

Malabsorption can affect growth and development or can lead to specific illnesses. Some of the causes of malabsorption include:

• cystic fibrosis (the number one cause in the U.S.)
• lactose intolerance
• celiac disease (gluten-induced-enteropathy, sprue)
• bovine lactalbumin intolerance (cow's milk protein)
• soy milk protein intolerance
• acrodermatitis enteropathica
• biliary atresia
• abetalipoproteinemia
• vitamin B-12 malabsorption
  • Diphyllobothrium latum infestation
  • juvenile pernicious anemia

• parasites
  • Giardia lamblia
  • Strongyloides stercoralis (threadworm)
  • Necator americanus (hookworm)