Environmental enteropathy: Difference between revisions
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
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[[file:Poliodrops.jpg|thumb|Poliodrops]] [[file:Villous_atrophy_in_endoscopic_images.png|thumb|Villous atrophy in endoscopic images | {{SI}} | ||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Environmental enteropathy | |||
| image = [[File:Villous_blunting_in_endoscopic_biopsy.png|left|thumb|Villous blunting in endoscopic biopsy]] | |||
| caption = Villous blunting observed in a biopsy of the small intestine | |||
| field = [[Gastroenterology]] | |||
| synonyms = Tropical enteropathy, environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) | |||
| symptoms = Malabsorption, growth stunting, chronic inflammation | |||
| complications = Malnutrition, impaired cognitive development | |||
| onset = Early childhood | |||
| duration = Chronic | |||
| causes = Poor sanitation, repeated enteric infections | |||
| risks = Living in unsanitary conditions, exposure to fecal pathogens | |||
| diagnosis = Clinical evaluation, biopsy of the small intestine | |||
| differential = [[Celiac disease]], [[Crohn's disease]], [[Giardiasis]] | |||
| prevention = Improved sanitation, access to clean water, proper nutrition | |||
| treatment = Nutritional support, addressing underlying infections | |||
| prognosis = Variable, depends on improvements in living conditions | |||
| frequency = Common in low-income countries | |||
}} | |||
[[file:Poliodrops.jpg|left|thumb|Poliodrops]] [[file:Villous_atrophy_in_endoscopic_images.png|left|thumb|Villous atrophy in endoscopic images]] [[file:Environmental_enteropathy_-_mechanism_model.png|left|thumb|Environmental enteropathy - mechanism model]] [[file:AFRICA_BASIN_AND_PITCHER_FOR_WASHING_HANDS.jpg|left|thumb|AFRICA BASIN AND PITCHER FOR WASHING HANDS]] '''Environmental enteropathy''' (EE), also known as tropical enteropathy or environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), is a disorder of the small intestine characterized by chronic inflammation, villous atrophy, and increased intestinal permeability. This condition is prevalent in low- and middle-income countries and is associated with poor sanitation and hygiene. | |||
==Pathophysiology== | ==Pathophysiology== | ||
Environmental enteropathy is believed to result from chronic exposure to fecal pathogens due to inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices. The continuous ingestion of these pathogens leads to a persistent inflammatory response in the gut. This inflammation causes damage to the intestinal villi, leading to villous atrophy, which impairs nutrient absorption and increases intestinal permeability. The increased permeability allows for the translocation of bacteria and toxins into the bloodstream, contributing to systemic inflammation and malnutrition. | Environmental enteropathy is believed to result from chronic exposure to fecal pathogens due to inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices. The continuous ingestion of these pathogens leads to a persistent inflammatory response in the gut. This inflammation causes damage to the intestinal villi, leading to villous atrophy, which impairs nutrient absorption and increases intestinal permeability. The increased permeability allows for the translocation of bacteria and toxins into the bloodstream, contributing to systemic inflammation and malnutrition. | ||
==Clinical Manifestations== | ==Clinical Manifestations== | ||
The clinical manifestations of environmental enteropathy are often subtle and nonspecific. They may include: | The clinical manifestations of environmental enteropathy are often subtle and nonspecific. They may include: | ||
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* Diarrhea | * Diarrhea | ||
* Anemia | * Anemia | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Diagnosis of environmental enteropathy is challenging due to the lack of specific clinical symptoms and the need for invasive procedures to obtain intestinal biopsies. However, several biomarkers and non-invasive tests are being researched to aid in the diagnosis. These include: | Diagnosis of environmental enteropathy is challenging due to the lack of specific clinical symptoms and the need for invasive procedures to obtain intestinal biopsies. However, several biomarkers and non-invasive tests are being researched to aid in the diagnosis. These include: | ||
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* Fecal calprotectin | * Fecal calprotectin | ||
* Serum citrulline levels | * Serum citrulline levels | ||
==Management== | ==Management== | ||
There is no specific treatment for environmental enteropathy. Management focuses on improving sanitation and hygiene to reduce exposure to fecal pathogens. Nutritional interventions, such as supplementation with vitamins and minerals, are also important to address malnutrition and support growth and development. | There is no specific treatment for environmental enteropathy. Management focuses on improving sanitation and hygiene to reduce exposure to fecal pathogens. Nutritional interventions, such as supplementation with vitamins and minerals, are also important to address malnutrition and support growth and development. | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Preventive measures for environmental enteropathy include: | Preventive measures for environmental enteropathy include: | ||
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* Enhancing sanitation facilities | * Enhancing sanitation facilities | ||
* Educating communities about hygiene practices | * Educating communities about hygiene practices | ||
==See also== | |||
== | |||
* [[Malnutrition]] | * [[Malnutrition]] | ||
* [[Diarrhea]] | * [[Diarrhea]] | ||
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* [[Villous atrophy]] | * [[Villous atrophy]] | ||
* [[Sanitation]] | * [[Sanitation]] | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Tropical sprue]] | * [[Tropical sprue]] | ||
* [[Celiac disease]] | * [[Celiac disease]] | ||
* [[Small intestine bacterial overgrowth]] | * [[Small intestine bacterial overgrowth]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{Portal|Medicine}} | {{Portal|Medicine}} | ||
[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | [[Category:Gastroenterology]] | ||
[[Category:Infectious diseases]] | [[Category:Infectious diseases]] | ||
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[[Category:Pediatrics]] | [[Category:Pediatrics]] | ||
[[Category:Public health]] | [[Category:Public health]] | ||
{{medicine-stub}} | {{medicine-stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 16:25, 6 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Environmental enteropathy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Synonyms | Tropical enteropathy, environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Malabsorption, growth stunting, chronic inflammation |
| Complications | Malnutrition, impaired cognitive development |
| Onset | Early childhood |
| Duration | Chronic |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Poor sanitation, repeated enteric infections |
| Risks | Living in unsanitary conditions, exposure to fecal pathogens |
| Diagnosis | Clinical evaluation, biopsy of the small intestine |
| Differential diagnosis | Celiac disease, Crohn's disease, Giardiasis |
| Prevention | Improved sanitation, access to clean water, proper nutrition |
| Treatment | Nutritional support, addressing underlying infections |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Variable, depends on improvements in living conditions |
| Frequency | Common in low-income countries |
| Deaths | N/A |
Environmental enteropathy (EE), also known as tropical enteropathy or environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), is a disorder of the small intestine characterized by chronic inflammation, villous atrophy, and increased intestinal permeability. This condition is prevalent in low- and middle-income countries and is associated with poor sanitation and hygiene.
Pathophysiology[edit]
Environmental enteropathy is believed to result from chronic exposure to fecal pathogens due to inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices. The continuous ingestion of these pathogens leads to a persistent inflammatory response in the gut. This inflammation causes damage to the intestinal villi, leading to villous atrophy, which impairs nutrient absorption and increases intestinal permeability. The increased permeability allows for the translocation of bacteria and toxins into the bloodstream, contributing to systemic inflammation and malnutrition.
Clinical Manifestations[edit]
The clinical manifestations of environmental enteropathy are often subtle and nonspecific. They may include:
- Growth stunting
- Malnutrition
- Impaired cognitive development
- Diarrhea
- Anemia
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of environmental enteropathy is challenging due to the lack of specific clinical symptoms and the need for invasive procedures to obtain intestinal biopsies. However, several biomarkers and non-invasive tests are being researched to aid in the diagnosis. These include:
- Lactulose-mannitol test
- Fecal calprotectin
- Serum citrulline levels
Management[edit]
There is no specific treatment for environmental enteropathy. Management focuses on improving sanitation and hygiene to reduce exposure to fecal pathogens. Nutritional interventions, such as supplementation with vitamins and minerals, are also important to address malnutrition and support growth and development.
Prevention[edit]
Preventive measures for environmental enteropathy include:
- Improving water quality
- Promoting handwashing with soap
- Enhancing sanitation facilities
- Educating communities about hygiene practices
See also[edit]
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
<references group="" responsive="1"></references>
External Links[edit]
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