- Home
- Parents Home
- Allergy Center
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- A to Z Dictionary
- Emotions & Behavior
- First Aid & Safety
- Food Allergy Center
- General Health
- Growth & Development
- Flu Center
- Heart Health
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Diseases & Conditions
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Play & Learn Center
- School & Family Life
- Pregnancy Center
- Newborn Center
- Q&A
- Recipes
- Sports Medicine Center
- Doctors & Hospitals
- Videos
- Para Padres
- Home
- Kids Home
- Asthma Center
- Cancer Center
- Movies & More
- Diabetes Center
- Getting Help
- Feelings
- Puberty & Growing Up
- Health Problems of Grown-Ups
- Health Problems
- Homework Center
- How the Body Works
- Illnesses & Injuries
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes & Cooking
- Staying Healthy
- Stay Safe Center
- Relax & Unwind Center
- Q&A
- Heart Center
- Videos
- Staying Safe
- Kids' Medical Dictionary
- Para Niños
- Home
- Teens Home
- Asthma Center
- Be Your Best Self Center
- Cancer Center
- Diabetes Center
- Diseases & Conditions
- Drugs & Alcohol
- Expert Answers (Q&A)
- Flu Center
- Homework Help Center
- Infections
- Managing Your Medical Care
- Managing Your Weight
- Nutrition & Fitness Center
- Recipes
- Safety & First Aid
- School & Work
- Sexual Health
- Sports Center
- Stress & Coping Center
- Videos
- Your Body
- Your Mind
- Para Adolescentes
A to Z: Intestinal Malabsorption
May also be called: Malabsorption; Malabsorption Syndrome
Intestinal malabsorption (mal-ab-ZORP-shun) is difficulty absorbing nutrients from food in the intestines.
More to Know
In the stomach, food is processed into a thick liquid called chyme. Chyme is then squirted down into the small intestine, where digestion of food continues so the body can absorb nutrients into the bloodstream.
When someone has intestinal malabsorption, something causes the small intestine to have trouble absorbing nutrients, especially sugars, fats, proteins, and vitamins. When this happens, the nutrients are passed out of the body in the stool (poop). This can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, flatulence, bulky stools that smell bad, weakness, fatigue, and muscle wasting.
Intestinal malabsorption is a common symptom of a number of diseases and conditions, including infections like traveler's diarrhea, lactose intolerance, Celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, endocrine disorders, cystic fibrosis, certain medications, and surgeries or treatments for conditions of the digestive tract. Treatment for intestinal malabsorption depends upon which condition is causing it.
Keep in Mind
In many cases, intestinal malabsorption happens after a stomach flu or intestinal flu. In those cases, it usually clears up within a couple of days and is no cause for concern. Longer-lasting cases should be examined by a doctor to determine the cause and the best course of treatment.
All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts.
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
© 1995- The Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth® is a registered trademark of The Nemours Foundation. All rights reserved.
Images sourced by The Nemours Foundation and Getty Images.