Malabsorption involves problems with the body's ability to take in (absorb) nutrients from food.
Many diseases can cause malabsorption. Most often, malabsorption involves problems absorbing certain sugars, fats, proteins, or vitamins. It can also involve an overall problem with absorbing food.
Problems or damage to the small intestine that may lead to problems absorbing important nutrients. These include:
Enzymes produced by the pancreas help absorb fats and other nutrients. A decrease of these enzymes makes it harder to absorb fats and certain nutrients. Problems with the pancreas may be caused by:
Some of the other causes of malabsorption include:
In children, the current weight or rate of weight gain is often much lower than that of other children of similar age and sex. This is called failure to thrive. The child may not grow and develop normally.
Adults may also have failure to thrive, with weight loss, muscle wasting, weakness, and even problems thinking.
Changes in the stools are often present, but not always.
Changes in the stools may include:
Your health care provider will do an exam. Tests that may be done include:
Treatment depends on the cause and is aimed at relieving symptoms and ensuring the body receives enough nutrients.
A high-calorie diet may be tried. It should supply:
If needed, injections of some vitamins and minerals or special growth factors will be given. Those with damage to the pancreas may need to take pancreatic enzymes. Your provider will prescribe these if necessary.
Medicines to slow down the normal movement of the intestine can be tried. This may allow food to remain in the intestine longer.
If the body is not able to absorb enough nutrients, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) may be tried. It will help you or your child get nutrition from a special formula through a vein in the body. Your provider will select the right amount of calories and TPN solution. Sometimes, you can also eat and drink while getting nutrition from TPN.
The outlook depends on what is causing the malabsorption.
Long-term malabsorption can result in:
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of malabsorption.
Prevention depends on the condition causing malabsorption.
Högenauer C, Hammer HF. Maldigestion and malabsorption. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 104.
Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 126.
Review Date:
6/11/2024 Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. |