Malabsorption is difficulty digesting or absorbing nutrients from food.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsMany diseases can cause malabsorption. Malabsorption is usually the inability to absorb certain sugars, fats, proteins, or vitamins from food. It can also involve a general malabsorption of food.
Some of the causes of malabsorption include:
Vitamin B12 malabsorption may be due to:
Malabsorption of vitamins can occur even without diarrhea.
SymptomsMalabsorption can affect growth and development, or it can lead to specific illnesses.
Signs and testsVitamin and nutrient replacement is often necessary.
Expectations (prognosis)The outlook depends on the condition causing malabsorption.
ComplicationsLong-term malabsorption can result in:
Call your health care provider if you notice symptoms of malabsorption.
PreventionPreventive methods depend on the condition causing malabsorption.
ReferencesSemrad CE, Powell DW. Approach to the Patient with Diarrhea and Malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 143.