All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Causes of malabsorption
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
Disorders of cavity digestion occur when the activity of some of the small intestine's own enzymes changes - enteropeptidase, duodenase. In addition, changes in heterophasicity in the intestinal lumen, motor activity, the amount of incoming digestive substrates, the activity of regulatory peptides, and the composition of food can disrupt cavity digestion. A number of hormone-active tumors producing regulatory peptides (gastrinoma, vipoma, somatostatinoma, etc.) are known, occurring with pronounced digestion disorders. The classic variant of changes in food breakdown in the lumen of the small intestine is cystic fibrosis, when the activity of pancreatic enzymes is sharply reduced, and the viscosity of secretions is impaired. Many infectious and parasitic diseases occur with disruption of hydrolysis and absorption processes in the intestine.
Parietal and membrane hydrolysis and absorption of nutrients depend on many factors, including the activity of enzyme and transport systems, the state of mucin, the composition of microflora, the structure of the components of the mucous membrane, etc. The functional activity of an enterocyte depends on its topography on the villus, the state of the parietal layer of mucus, the characteristics of the structural components, the rate of renewal and migration, the degree of differentiation and maturation of cells, the state of the microvilli (glycocalyx).
Disorders of the structural components of the small intestine, a decrease in the absorption area lead to the formation of malabsorption syndrome, in connection with which, with short small intestine syndrome (congenital or post-resection), villous atrophy in celiac disease, infectious processes, giardiasis, exposure to certain medications and radiation, and a deficiency of disaccharidases, severe metabolic disorders are formed, and the physical and neuropsychic development of the child suffers.
Conditions associated with the function of the intestinal circulatory and lymphatic systems are known to lead to the development of malabsorption syndrome. Congenital lymphangiectasia leads to severe loss of proteins, lipids, and calcium through the gastrointestinal tract.
[