Malabsorption Syndrome

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Definition

Malabsorption syndrome is an alteration in the ability of the intestine to absorb nutrients adequately into the bloodstream.

— Kathleen D. Wright, RN

Defect of absorption of one or more nutrients; signs include diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, abdominal distension, weight loss, and specific signs of nutrient deficiency.

A nutritional syndrome caused by any of various disorders in which there is ineffective absorption of nutrients from the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by diverse conditions such as diarrhea, weakness, edema, lassitude, weight loss, poor appetite, protuberant abdomen, pallor, bleeding tendencies, and muscle cramps.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a pattern of symptoms including loss of appetite and bloating and weight loss and muscle pain and steatorrhea; associated with celiac disease and sprue and cystic fibrosis

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Any of a variety of conditions that can cause the body to fail to absorp the appropriate nutrients and constituents of food.

Common causes include; Coeliac Disease, Tropical Sprue, Crohn's Disease, Short Gut Syndrome.

Patients often present with steatorrhea, due to an inability to absorb fat, and may also often develop delayed clotting times due to a loss of the fat soluble vitamin K, which is required to maintain the clotting cascade.

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