Malabsorption Syndromes Summary Your small intestine does most of the digesting of the foods you eat. If you have a malabsorption syndrome, your small intestine cannot absorb nutrients from foods. Causes of malabsorption syndromes include Celiac disease Lactose intolerance Short bowel syndrome. This happens after surgery to remove half or more of the small intestine. You might need the surgery if you have a problem with the small intestine from a disease, injury, or birth defect. Whipple disease, a rare bacterial infection Genetic diseases Certain medicines Symptoms of different malabsorption syndromes can vary. They often include chronic diarrhea, abnormal stools, weight loss, and gas. Your doctor may use lab, imaging, or other tests to make a diagnosis. Treatment of malabsorption syndromes depends on the cause. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Related Issues Alagille Syndrome National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Understanding Food Allergies and Intolerances American Gastroenterological Association Unexplained Weight Loss Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Find an Expert American College of Gastroenterology American College of Gastroenterology National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Array Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome Blind loop syndrome D-xylose absorption Fecal fat Malabsorption Short bowel syndrome Small bowel bacterial overgrowth Stools – floating Tropical sprue Whipple’s disease Specifics Blind Loop Syndrome Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Intestinal Lymphangiectasia Merck & Co., Inc. Short Bowel Syndrome National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Whipple’s Disease National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Malabsorption Syndromes National Institutes of Health Encyclopedia Failure to thrive Children Failure to Thrive (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Intestinal Failure (Short Bowel Syndrome) North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Diagnosis and Tests Fecal Fat: The Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry Lower GI Series (Barium Enema) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Stool Tests Nemours Foundation Genetics Genetics Home Reference: abetalipoproteinemia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: chylomicron retention disease National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: glucose-galactose malabsorption National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: hereditary folate malabsorption National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: lactose intolerance National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: lysinuric protein intolerance National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: microvillus inclusion disease National Library of Medicine Patient Handouts Lower GI Series National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Whipple’s Disease National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Start Here Malabsorption American Academy of Pediatrics Overview of Malabsorption Merck & Co., Inc. Journal Articles Malabsorption Syndromes
