Steatorrhea

The pathological excretion of excessive fat in the stool due to intestinal fat malabsorption, typically producing pale, bulky, foul-smelling, oily stools that may float and are difficult to flush. It indicates impaired digestion or absorption of dietary lipids.

Causes

• Pancreatic causes

  • Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

  • Chronic pancreatitis

  • Cystic fibrosis

  • Pancreatic cancer

• Gastrointestinal causes

  • Celiac disease

  • Crohn's disease

  • Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

  • Short bowel syndrome

• Hepatobiliary causes: Bile acid deficiency or impaired bile delivery

  • Liver failure

  • Liver cirrhosis

  • Hepatitis

  • Gallstones

  • Choledocholithiasis

• Giardiasis

• Medications affecting intestinal absorption

  • Orlistat

  • Long-term antibiotic use