Malabsorption overview

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Malabsorption

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Overview

Classification

Infection
Structural defect
Digestive failure
Systemic disease
Iatrogenic

Differentiating Malabsorption from other Diseases

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Malabsorption is a state arising from abnormality in digestion or absorption of food nutrients across the gastrointestinal(GI) tract. Impairment can be of single or multiple nutrients depending on the abnormality. This may lead to malnutrition and variety of anemias.[1]

Classification

Some prefer to classify malabsorption clinically into three basic categories[2]:

(1) Selective, as seen in lactose malabsorption
(2) Partial, as observed in abetalipoproteinemia
(3) Total, as in celiac disease.

References

  1. Jensen, Jonathan E. "Malabsorption Syndromes - Page 1". Colorado center for digestive disorders. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
  2. Gasbarrini G, Frisono M: Critical evaluation of malabsorption tests; in G. Dobrilla, G. Bertaccini, G. Langman (Editor) (1986). Problems and Controversies in Gastroenterology. New York: Raven Pr. pp. 123–130. ISBN 88-85037-75-5.