Malabsorption syndromes - Disorders of the small bowel and appendix

Malabsorption syndromes

Absorption of food occurs within the small bowel. The process involves breakdown of macromolecules by enzymes and transport across the specialised small bowel mucosa. Disorders of any of the elements potentially leads to malabsorption. The most common causes of malabsorption are pancreatic insufficiency, coeliac disease, resection of the ileum, Crohn’s disease and liver disease (see Fig. 4.8).