Nutritional therapy in children with gastrointestinal disorders associated with the development of malabsorption syndrome

Malabsorption syndrome, which means impaired intestinal digestion and absorption, is a “difficult” diagnosis in pediatric gastroenterology due to its polyetiological nature, polymorphism of clinical manifestations and obvious difficulties in verifying the diagnosis. Due to the wide range of possible disorders, the symptoms characterizing malabsorption can vary significantly; however, in most cases of the disease, the prevailing clinical symptom of the disease will be chronic diarrhea, and the most expected clinical consequence is deficient conditions typical for the development of malnutrition. The article provides data on modern classifications of diseases characterized by disorders of digestion and absorption, as well as clinical aspects that help with the differential diagnosis. The importance of careful collecting medical history data, examining a child, and conducting routine physical examination is emphasized. Considering the severity of the clinical consequences of malnutrition and the importance of timely relief of nutritional deficiency, the need for timely nutritional support is highlighted, which will help to level the slowdown in physical development and growth disorders, as well as effectively prevent the decline in the general condition of the child and the progression of the underlying pathology that caused malabsorption syndrome. The use of mixtures to prevent the formation of severe metabolic and immunological disorders in children solves a number of problems associated with various aspects of the pathophysiological process. The active use in clinical practice of such universal therapeutic forms, which, in addition to therapeutic effect, can restore the patient’s nutritional status, has significantly reduced the need for parenteral nutrition and decreased the drug load on the sick child’s body.