There are many health issues that can lead to malabsorption. Sometimes, your child might not have the right enzyme to digest a particular food. Other times, damage to the gut has affected the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. 

Conditions that can cause malabsorption include:

• Celiac disease:  The body’s reaction to gluten damages the small intestine. The damage makes it hard to absorb nutrients.
• Cystic fibrosis (CF):  A genetic issue that makes mucus thick and sticky. It can block the pancreas, so the body doesn't get the enzymes it needs to break down food.
• Pancreatic insufficiency:  The pancreas doesn’t make enough enzymes to digest food properly. This can happen with genetic syndromes, damage or structural issues.
• Lactose intolerance:  The body can’t digest lactose, the sugar in milk. This can cause gas, bloating and diarrhea after eating dairy.
• Short bowel syndrome: Part of the small intestine is missing or removed. The body has less surface area to absorb food and nutrients.
• Crohn’s disease:  Causes swelling and damage in the digestive tract, especially the small intestine. This can lead to trouble absorbing nutrients.
• Giardiasis:  A parasite that infects the intestines, often from drinking unclean water. It can damage the gut lining and lead to diarrhea and weight 

From diagnosis to ongoing treatment, our staff will work with your family to maximize your child’s nutrition and well-being. Our team gives you and your family the best and safest care possible. We will work closely with your family to reduce the impact of malabsorption disorders on your child’s life. 

In addition to world-class care, we have many resources for kids and families. We provide a comfortable and welcoming place for every step of your journey. We’re here for you, from finding out what’s wrong to long-term care.

Our team includes:

• Digestive care doctors
• Dietitians
• Nurses
• Social workers who often work with kids with nutritional disorders

We collaborate closely with other experts to deliver the best care possible. These include experts in pain care and mental health in kids with digestive disorders. 

Intestinal Rehabilitation Program

If your child cannot absorb enough nutrients, they need help eating. Our Intestinal Rehabilitation Program gives your child nutrition through a vein (IV) or a feeding tube. But we also focus on helping your child eat by mouth and lowering their need for it.

Our goals for your child include:

• Encourage normal feeding: We help your child eat enough by mouth so they can wean off IV or tube nutrition.
• Support healthy growth: We watch their nutrition, health and lab results. We make sure they have steady growth and development.
• Prevent complications: We work to avoid problems related to IV feeding and intestinal issues. We focus on early detection and care.

What makes our program special:

• Our digestive care doctors, surgeons, dietitians, nurses and other experts work together as a team.
• We offer advanced treatments, including bowel-lengthening surgery. We also carefully manage IV nutrition. We offer full support through every step of care.
• Our program tracks growth, outcomes and safety. We use the latest research to guide and improve care.
• We help your family learn how to care for your kid at home. But we’re there to help when you need us.

Our program includes doctors who are experts in intestinal rehab and nutrition. They lead your child’s care and guide the team to help your child recover, grow and reach long-term goals.

After Care 

Depending on the diagnosis, your child may need long-term care. For some kids, the right care plan and diet changes mean they can live normal lives. For others, malabsorptive disorders are chronic health issues. 

Our experts will work with your family to tailor a care plan for your child. Our goals are to improve your child’s growth and quality of life.

You’ll have regular meetings with your child’s doctor to monitor their weight and symptoms. They’ll ensure your child is eating and growing well.