Short bowel syndrome cause of hypomagnesaemia importance of its diagnosis and treatment

The short bowel syndrome (SIC) is a complex entity characterized by a malabsorptive state usually secondary to extensive intestinal resection originating a clinical, metabolic and/or nutritional disorder due to the reduction of the effective intestinal absorptive surface. The diagnosis is essentially clinical and, due to the patients malabsorptive process, it requires nutritional support to maintain their basic requirements, as the case reported. The clinical features of SIC patients depend on the grade of the alteration of function of the the small intestine or the impairment secondary to the surgical resection. We know that electrolytes are absorbed predominantly in the proximal gut. The regulation of ion/mineral levels depend on both the intestinal absorption and the renal excretion. We present an unusual case of SIC with only low absorption of magnesium. We discuss the most outstanding aspects of the case and review the literature.