Malabsorption syndrome means that the body is unable to absorb the nutrients provided by food. As a consequence, malnutrition occurs, and then the organism of a person struggling with this disorder is devastated. What are the causes and symptoms of malabsorption syndrome? What is the treatment?

Malabsorption syndrome(ZZW) means a disturbance in the absorption of nutrients through the mucosa of the small intestine.

Under normal conditions, nutrients - proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, etc. - are released from food when they enter the body and broken down into smaller molecules by various enzymes. Thanks to this, they can be absorbed by the small intestine. This process may be disturbed as a result of the lack or deficiency of digestive enzymes. Then there is inadequate preparation of the ingested nutrients from the food for absorption (secondary ZZW). Another cause of the malabsorption syndrome may be a dysfunction of the mucosa of the small intestine itself, which prevents proper absorption of the ingested nutrients (primary ZE).

Malabsorption Syndrome - Causes

The absence or deficiency of digestive enzymes can be congenital, such as alactasia (congenital deficiency of lactase, a digestive enzyme that is essential for the proper breakdown of lactose) or phenylketonuria (genetically deficient phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine). The cause of the lack or deficiency of digestive enzymes may also be numerous diseases in the course of which there is a dysfunction of the organs responsible for the secretion of these enzymes, e.g. pancreatitis and hepatitis.

In turn, the dysfunction of the mucosa of the small intestine can be caused by diseases such as :

  • celiakia
  • Crohn's disease (inflammatory bowel disease);
  • short bowel syndrome;
  • parasitic diseases of the digestive system;
  • viral, bacterial, fungal infections;
  • food allergies;

Malabsorption syndrome may also occur after gastric resection, partial removal of the intestine, or be a consequence of drug-induced damage andof the radiation-induced small intestine.

Important

These drugs may impair the absorption process

Drugs that impair absorption in the small intestine include, among others neomycin, cholestyramine, colchicine, methotrexate, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, iron preparations, laxatives, biguanides.

In addition, the malabsorption syndrome can cause alcohol.

Malabsorption Syndrome - Symptoms

The symptoms of malabsorption are usually low body weight, weakness, fatigue and symptoms of nutrient deficiencies. They are characteristic of individual nutrients:

  • proteins - incl. edema, weight loss, growth disturbance in children, weakened immunity;
  • fats - chronic fatty diarrhea (the stool is light-colored, becomes semi-fluid, heavy and foul-smelling), symptoms of fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies (A, D, E, K);
  • carbohydrates - diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating, excessive gas;
  • B vitamins - nervous system symptoms: emotional lability, memory impairment, seizures. In the case of vitamin B2 deficiency, there may additionally appear inflammatory-atrophic skin lesions, inflammation of the mucosa of the tongue, mouth, and seizures;
  • vitamin A - eye dysfunction, manifested by drying out of the conjunctiva, clouding, corneal ulceration, photophobia, and deterioration of the skin condition - hyperkeratosis, dry, thin hair, nail dystrophy;
  • calcium and vitamin D - bone pain, tetany, osteomalacia in adults, rickets in children;
  • vitamin K - hemorrhagic diathesis;
  • vitamin C - scurvy;
  • iron and folic acid - anemia (anemia);
Important

Malabsorption Syndrome - complications

The malabsorption syndrome weakens and destroys the body. In some cases, the consequence of IBS can even be infertility.

Malabsorption Syndrome - diagnosis

When a malabsorption syndrome is suspected, basic blood, urine and stool tests are performed. Specialized tests may also be necessary, such as, for example :

  • test for disorders of the absorption of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and bile s alts;
  • hydrogen breath test;
  • Schilling test;
  • radiological examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract with contrast (the so-called gastrointestinal passage);
  • gastroscopy with duodenal specimen collection for microscopic examination;
  • ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
  • allergy tests;

Malabsorption Syndrome - Treatment

In the case of malabsorption, causal treatment is used.

For example, in the case of enzyme deficiencies, it may be necessary to follow an elimination diet (e.g. gluten-free for celiac disease, dairy-free for lactase deficiency).

In case of infections, it may be necessary to administer antibiotics or anti-parasitic drugs. In turn, in the case of Crohn's disease, anti-inflammatory drugs are administered.

Depending on the identified deficiencies, the patient may be given iron, B vitamins, vitamins A, E and K or other nutrients.

Sometimes it is necessary to administer preparations containing enzymes, e.g. in the case of chronic pancreatitis, the patient can be given preparations containing pancreatic enzymes.

Category:

Gastrology