Blind loop syndrome, also called stagnant loop syndrome, is a rare condition that occurs when food stops moving through or slows down through part of your small intestines. Bacteria can overgrow in the stagnant part of your intestines.
Blind loop syndrome can occur as a complication of:
- abdominal surgery
- anatomical differences
- gastrointestinal disorders that impede the mobility of food through your gut
Blind loop syndrome can lead to nutritional deficiencies and other problems like diarrhea or anemia. The outlook varies widely depending on the underlying cause. You may require surgery to treat the underlying condition and nutritional support to correct nutritional disorders.
Read on to learn more about blind loop syndrome, including causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
Blind loop syndrome is
- irritable bowel syndrome
- celiac disease
- Whipple disease
- pancreatic insufficiency
- tropical sprue
- Crohn’s disease
Signs and symptoms of blind loop syndrome are vague and can often be mistaken for those of another gastrointestinal condition. They can include:
- unintentional weight loss due to malabsorption of nutrients and diarrhea
- megaloblastic anemia, larger and fewer than normal red blood cells caused by:
- folate deficiency
- vitamin B12 deficiency
- excessive fat in your stool (steatorrhea)
- loss of muscle mass
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- belching
- nausea and vomiting
- bloating
- persistent gas
- fatigue
- weakness
Blind loop syndrome usually develops due to anatomic abnormalities, including:
- surgical side effects like scarring, fistulas, or stricture (narrowing of your intestines)
- afferent loop syndrome, a complication of stomach surgery
- jejunal diverticulosis, small pouches in the middle section of your small intestines
- anastomosis, the surgical attachment of two parts of your intestines
It can also develop due to mobility or inflammatory diseases, such as:
- scleroderma
- diabetic gastroparesis
- Parkinson disease
- Crohn’s disease
- celiac disease
- diverticulitis
- radiation enteritis
Blind loop syndrome can lead to small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which can impair fat absorption and the absorption of some vitamins and minerals. Potential complications of the nutrient deficiencies include:
| Nutrient deficiency | Complications |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A | • xeropthalmia, a progressive eye disease • night blindness • hyperkeratosis |
| Vitamin D | • secondary hyperparathyroidism • muscle weakness • fractures |
| Vitamin K | • bruising • black stools • blood in urine • irregular menstruation |
| Vitamin E | • neuropathy • nystagmus, involuntary and rapid eye movements • trouble with muscle function |
| Calcium | • brittle bones • seizures • heart rhythm problems |
Other
- muscle spasticity or paraplegia due to chronic vitamin B12 deficiency
- softening of your bones
- retroperitoneal hemorrhage, a life threatening condition where fat malabsorption depletes vitamin K stores and impairs blood clotting. It has a mortality rate of around
18% .
Blind loop syndrome is difficult to diagnose because it requires a high degree of suspicion to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms.
Imaging plays an important role in diagnosing blind loop syndrome. Potential imaging tests you might receive include:
- X-rays
- computed tomography (CT) scans
- CT barium series
- CT enterography
Breath tests and bacteria cultures can help rule out other conditions and support the diagnosis. They include:
- fecal fat test
- hydrogen breath test
- D-xylose absorption test
- bile acid breath test
- small bowel aspiration
Treatment goals for blind loop syndrome treatment are:
- reducing the overgrowth of bacteria in your gut
- correcting nutritional deficiencies
- managing other symptoms
Antibiotics
The traditional antibiotic treatment to resolve bacterial overgrowth has been tetracyclines, but newer
Blind loop syndrome surgery
Surgery may be required if an anatomical difference is causing your symptoms. You may need surgery to remove a blockage in your gut or to remove stagnant sections of your intestines.
Blind loop syndrome diet
Nutritionists or dietitians often recommend a high calorie and low fat diet for people with blind loop syndrome. You may also need intramuscular vitamin B12 injections or oral vitamin and mineral supplements.
It’s important to contact a doctor if you have frequent and concerning gastrointestinal problems or unexplained weight loss. It’s particularly important if you’ve recently had abdominal surgery, to rule out potential complications.
Here are some frequently asked questions people have about blind loop syndrome.
Why is it called blind loop?
The name “blind loop” refers to a section of your small intestine that food bypasses. This area is called a
Is blind loop syndrome the same as SIBO?
Blind loop syndrome is characterized by food bypassing part of your small intestines, which often leads to bacterial overgrowth. SIBO is the overgrowth of bacteria in your small intestines and a potential characteristic of blind loop syndrome.
What’s the difference between afferent loop syndrome and blind loop syndrome?
Afferent loop syndrome is a complication of stomach surgery where your digestive juices become trapped in your upper small intestines and can back up into your stomach.
Blind loop syndrome is a rare condition characterized by stool bypassing or slowing down through a section of your small intestines. It can lead to bacterial overgrowth and nutritional deficiencies.
Treatment for blind loop syndrome may include antibiotics, surgery, and nutritional support. It’s important to see a doctor any time you have persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, especially if you’ve recently had abdominal surgery.
