Malabsorption Syndrome

Malabsorption syndrome: causes, symptoms and treatment

Malabsorption syndrome is a clinical symptom complex that occurs as a result of impaired absorption of nutrients through the mucous membrane of the small intestine. This can be caused by hereditary or acquired causes, such as pancreatitis, hepatitis, dysbiosis, intestinal infections, Crohn's disease and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Etiology and pathogenesis

Malabsorption syndrome can be caused by hereditary or acquired causes. Hereditary forms of malabsorption are associated with impaired activity of enzymes necessary for the breakdown of nutrients. These forms include disaccharidase deficiency (lactase, sucrase, isomaltase), true celiac disease (gliadin intolerance), enterokinase deficiency, monosaccharide intolerance (glucose, fructose, galactose), amino acid malabsorption (cystinuria, Hartnup disease, etc.), vitamin malabsorption B-2 and folic acid and others.

Acquired forms of malabsorption may be associated with chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as pancreatitis, hepatitis, dysbacteriosis, intestinal infections and dyskinesias, Crohn's disease and others.

Symptoms

The clinical picture of malabsorption syndrome in children is dominated by chronic diarrhea with a high content of lipids in the feces. Dystrophy gradually develops, children are stunted. Manifestations of vitamin deficiency, water-electrolyte imbalance (dry skin, seizures, glossitis, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, etc.) are added. Due to developed hypoproteinemia, edema may occur.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of malabsorption can be suspected if frequent, loose stools with a high fat content in the stool occur for a long time and are practically untreatable with traditional means. To confirm the diagnosis, various research methods are used, such as gastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, biopsy, stool analysis for fat, carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids and others.

Treatment

Treatment of malabsorption should be strictly etiological. Thus, for mood-intestinal diseases, antibacterial therapy may be required, for disaccharidase deficiency, taking enzyme preparations, and for celiac disease, eliminating gluten from the diet.

To compensate for vitamin deficiency, vitamin complexes can be prescribed, and infusion therapy can be prescribed to restore the disturbed water-electrolyte balance.

It is also important to adhere to dietary recommendations, which are selected individually depending on the cause of malabsorption and the patient’s condition. The diet should include easily digestible foods rich in proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as foods containing vitamins and minerals.

Severe forms of malabsorption may require hospitalization and special procedures such as nutrient drips or enteral feeding tubes.