| Subject | Contents |
| Definition | Difficulty in the digestion or absorption of nutrients from food substances. |
| Alternative Names | |
| 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 of food. 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 intoleranceceliac disease (gluten-induced-enteropathy, sprue ) Whipple disease Shwachman-Diamond syndrome bovine lactalbumin intolerance (cow's milk protein ) soy milk protein intolerance acrodermatitis enteropathica causing Zinc malabsorption biliary atresiaabetalipoproteinemiaVitamin B-12 malabsorption may be due to: Diphyllobothrium latum infestation juvenile pernicious anemia parasites Giardia lamblia Strongyloides stercoralis ( threadworm ) Necator americanus ( hookworm ) |
| Symptoms | specific food avoidance chronicdiarrheabloating and flatulence (gas) growth failure |
| Signs and tests | See the individual conditions. |
| Treatment | See the individual conditions. |
| Support Groups | |
| Expectations (prognosis) | See the individual conditions. |
| Complications | Prolonged malabsorption can result in malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies. |
| Calling your health care provider | Call to make an appointment with your health care provider if you notice symptoms of malabsorption. |
| Prevention | See the individual conditions. |
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