Mom has prepared nutritious food every day, but why does the child look weak and not energetic?
They tend to lose weight and get sick easily. If this happens, there is a possibility that your child is malabsorbed.
Malabsorption is a common condition when your child has the flu.
At that time, the child’s body failed to absorb nutrients due to the invading virus. This condition is nothing to worry about. It will heal after 1-2 days as the child’s health improves.
However, if your child experiences it even though he is not sick with the flu, you should immediately take the child to the doctor.
The reason, there is a possibility of children experiencing chronic malabsorption. In contrast to ordinary malabsorption, this condition requires special handling.
Here Thevolume.net has summarized an explanation of what malabsorption in children is. Come on, find out more about this condition!
What is chronic malabsorption?
Malabsorption is a condition in which a child’s small intestine cannot absorb nutrients properly due to illness or special conditions.
So, what should be every nutrient that enters the body that will be digested and absorbed by the human digestive system but not go well?
The process of absorption of nutrients itself occurs when food passes through the small intestine.
However, under certain conditions, the small intestine can fail to absorb nutrients and distribute them throughout the body. The nutrients that come in come out again along with the feces. This condition is called chronic malabsorption.
As a result, children will lack macronutrients (which consist of protein, carbohydrates, and fats) and micronutrients (which consist of vitamins and minerals).
Causes of chronic malabsorption
The most common cause of malabsorption is a lack of digestive enzymes present in the body. However, this condition can also occur when the child suffers from certain diseases.
The diseases in question include infection, inflammation, kidney disease, liver disease, pancreatic disease, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, Whipple’s disease, short bowel syndrome, and tropical sprue.
Malabsorption can also occur when a child takes antibiotics for a long time or because it is congenital.
Types of chronic malabsorption
Chronic malabsorption can occur specifically to certain nutrients. Among them is the malabsorption of fat, protein, sugar, vitamins, and lactose.
Each of this malabsorption will cause different specific symptoms in addition to general symptoms.
Therefore, take your child to the doctor to get a definite diagnosis, Mom. Generally, the doctor will perform a series of tests before determining the correct diagnosis.
Symptoms of chronic malabsorption
As previously mentioned, the symptoms of malabsorption can vary depending on the nutrients the body fails to absorb. But in general, the symptoms of malabsorption are as follows:
- Nausea and vomiting;
- frequent bowel movements;
- Weight loss;
- Changes in the shape and color of the stool.
In addition, long-term changes will also be seen in children. He will be more susceptible to infection, his skin is more prone to dry and scaly, bruises appear even if not hit, and his bones are prone to fracture due to lack of calcium.
Even in some cases, chronic malabsorption can also change a child’s personality, you know, Mom.
Treatment of chronic malabsorption
You don’t have to worry if your child has malabsorption. The reason, it is not a permanent condition. To treat it, Mom can do the following ways:
- Changing the diet to avoid foods that interfere with nutrient absorption;
- Taking vitamins as a substitute for nutrients that fail to be absorbed by the body;
- Enzyme therapy as a substitute for enzymes that have failed to be absorbed by the body;
- Through drugs; and
- Through surgery.
Consult a doctor before taking treatment, Mom. With the help of a doctor’s diagnosis, Mom can take the right treatment to speed up healing.
That is a series of information about chronic malabsorption in children. Hope this helps, Mom!
