Malabsorption is suggested by a variety of clinical features. First suspicions are heightened by deficiency states such as anaemia, weight loss, hypocalcaemia, hypoproteinaemia, hypokalaemia and avitaminosis. Corroboration is most surely obtained by estimation of the daily faecal fat excretion, xylose absorption, or both.
Elucidation of the cause of the malabsorption may require a wide range of investigations.
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