Genetically determined syndromes
• Celiac disease is considered the most common inherited malabsorption syndrome because the documented prevalence is close to 1%.
• Cystic fibrosis is the second most common malabsorption syndrome.
• Other congenital disorders are rare, with the exception of adult-type hypolactasia, which has a prevalence that varies greatly among different ethnic groups.
Acquired syndromes
• Among acquired conditions, cow's (and soy) milk protein allergic enteropathy is very common.
• The prevalence of milk protein allergy, of which enteropathy is one of the presenting clinical symptoms, is estimated to be around 3%.
• A transient and common form of malabsorption in infants results from acute-onset enteritis (mostly viral, specifically rotaviral), which causes transient lactose intolerance.
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