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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #73027

Title: NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS OF INFANCY

Author
item Motil, Kathleen

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/17/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The nutritional abnormalities associated with gastrointestinal diseases generally are the result of defects in digestion and absorption. Problems such as fat malabsorption, carbohydrate intolerance, protein-losing enteropathy, and specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies frequently complicate the course of gastrointestinal diseases such as cystic fibrosis, ,celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and short gut syndrome. Defect in digestion and absorption result in increased enteric losses of nutrients which, if untreated, lead to frank malnutrition and growth failure. Although individual laboratory tests provide qualitative or quantitative assessments of specific abnormalities of digestion and absorption, the magnitude of the severity of these defects can be assessed over the long-term by their impact on the global nutritional status of the child. Strategies that compensate for the specific defects of digestion and absorption will reverse the adverse nutritional consequences associated with these disorders.