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Malnutrition can occur even if the child is eating a balanced diet. The reason behind it can be  malabsorption.

In a normal digestive process, the body converts nutrients coming from food into small units that pass through the wall of the intestine and into the bloodstream. If the intestine wall is damaged by a virus, bacterial infection or parasites, the absorption won’t be optimal and nutrients will be eliminated through the stool. This usually occurs for a day or two because normally the intestine heals quickly without significant damage.

However, chronic malabsorption may develop, and if two or more of the following signs or symptoms persist, notify your pediatrician:

1. Persistent abdominal pain and vomiting
2. Frequent, loose, bulky, foul-smelling stool
3. Increased susceptibility to infection
4. Weight loss with the loss of fat and muscle
5. Increase in bruises
6. Bone fractures
7. Dry, scaly skin rashes
8. Personality changes
9. Slowing of growth and weight gain (may not be noticeable for several months) (1)

Dr. Elie Choueiry

Pediatrician Intensive Care Specialist- PICU HDF

^{Malabsorption - HealthyChildren.org}

^{https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/abdominal/Pages/Malabsorption.aspx}