Steatorrhoea simply means the presence of excess fat in the stool. It is the consequence of malabsorption in which unabsorbed fat remains in the stool.
This happens when your body does not absorb nutrients properly or it is not making enzymes or bile needed to digest food effectively. Having too much of fat in your stool means that your digestive system is not breaking down food adequately. Excessive fat excretion may result from biliary insufficiency or biliary obstruction or pancreatic insufficiency or failure of normal absorption owing to mucosal damage (Sprue).
Since Steatorrhea is a symptom and not a disease, the underlying cause of malabsorption must be treated. Some causes of malabsorption includes Chronic Pancreatitis, Lactose Intolerance, Celiac Disease, Whipple disease and Crohn’s disease.
Dietary Protein and Carbohydrate should be high and fats may need to be added as tolerated. Fat soluble Vitamin and Minerals such as Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium and Iron should be supplemented
