Malabsorption: MedlinePlus Mobile Medical Encyclopedia

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Causes
Many 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:

AIDS and HIV
Biliary atresia
Celiac disease
Certain medications (cholestyramine, tetracycline, some antacids, some medications used to treat obesity, colchicine, acarbose, phenytoin)
Certain types of cancer (lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, gastrinomas)
Certain types of surgery (gastrectomy with gastrojejunostomy, surgical treatments for obesity, partial or complete removal of the ileum)
Cholestasis
Chronic liver disease
Cow's milk protein intolerance
Crohn's disease
Damage from radiation treatments
Parasite infection, including Giardia lamblia
Soy milk protein intolerance
Whipple's disease

Vitamin B12 malabsorption may be due to:

Pernicious anemia
Bowel resection
Tapeworm infection (Diphyllobothrium latum)

Symptoms

Bloating, cramping, and gas
Bulky stools
Chronic diarrhea (may not occur with vitamin malabsorption)
Failure to thrive
Fatty stools (steatorrhea)
Muscle wasting
Weight loss

Malabsorption can affect growth and development, or it can lead to specific illnesses.

Treatment
Vitamin and nutrient replacement is often necessary.

Outlook (Prognosis)
The outlook depends on the condition causing malabsorption.

Possible Complications
Long-term malabsorption can result in:

Anemia
Gallstones
Kidney stones
Osteoporosis and bone disease
Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies

When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you notice symptoms of malabsorption.

Prevention
Preventive methods depend on the condition causing malabsorption.

References
Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine . 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 142.

Hogenauer C, Hammer HF. Maldigestion and malabsorption. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 101.

Update Date: 8/10/2012
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.