Malabsorption syndrome refers to the inadequate absorption of nutrients. This can be due to inherited or acquired defects in the small intestine mucosal epithelium.

Patients will present with an osmotic diarrhea (ie, profuse, watery) steatorrhea, abdominal distention, abdominal pain, or weight loss. They can also present with sequelae of vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies, which can have widely variable presentations.

Malabsorption is a broad disease category. There are many disease states that result in malabsorption, and the clinical presentation will vary based on the location and severity of the intestinal malabsorption.

Related topics: copper deficiency, failure to thrive, folate deficiency, iodine deficiency, iron deficiency, malnutrition, niacin deficiency, thiamine deficiency, vitamin A deficiency, vitamin B2 deficiency, vitamin B6 deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, vitamin C deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin E deficiency, vitamin K deficiency, zinc deficiency (acquired and hereditary)