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How is malabsorption treated?
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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The patterns of development of the pathological process and the main pathological symptoms in various types of malabsorption syndrome caused by intolerance to any food component are similar, and the tactics of managing such patients have virtually no differences due to the etiological factor. The main type of treatment for patients with malabsorption syndrome is dietary correction and therapeutic nutrition based on the identification and elimination of causative nutrients with mandatory provision of adequate replacement. An individual approach to the preparation of an elimination diet is important.
It is necessary to take into account:
- deficiency syndromes that require the fastest possible correction;
- the degree of hypotrophy and the resulting impairment of tolerance to food stress;
- functional state of the liver, pancreas, kidneys, limiting the load of protein and fat;
- high sensitivity of the intestines of sick children to osmotic load;
- age of the child;
- appetite and individual attitude to the offered products and dishes.
The second important component of nursing children with malabsorption syndrome is care and prevention of secondary infectious complications. It is necessary to ensure sufficient compliance with the treatment, for which the mother of the sick child should be involved in both care and feeding - the effectiveness of treatment in outpatient settings depends on her skills and motivation.
Rare forms of malabsorption syndrome caused by congenital, genetic defects of enzyme and/or transport systems, congenital or acquired morphological anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract, require specific therapeutic and sometimes surgical treatment with the involvement of highly qualified medical specialists, examination and observation in large specialized medical centers.
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