biostudies-literatureMahfuz MNIDDK NIH HHSThe Gates FoundationNIHGates FoundationNIH HHS90https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12870067biostudies-literatureUnknown26(1)<h4>Introduction</h4>Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED) is a subacute inflammation of the small intestinal (SI) mucosa associated with undernutrition and perturbation of the SI microbiota. Its diagnosis relies on histopathological assessment of small intestinal biopsies, with a lack of validated biomarkers contributing to underdiagnosis. This study assessed the prevalence and histological features of EED in undernourished Bangladeshi women living in an urban slum in Dhaka, compared to well-nourished women from slum and non-slum areas, and examined the factors associated with histologically confirmed EED.<h4>Methods</h4>This analysis included non-pregnant, non-lactating Bangladeshi women aged 18-45 years classified by location of residence and nutritional status: well-nourished non-sluBMC gastroenterologyEnvironmental enteric dysfunction in well-nourished and undernourished women in Bangladesh.PMC128700671R01DK131107INV-045337R01 DK131107Hossain MSHasan SMTTasnim MAhmed TMahfuz MBegum SMKNRahman MMGordon JIKhan ARMahfuz MTBarratt MJRezwan AHMSharmin RfalseEnvironmental enteric dysfunction in well-nourished and undernourished women in Bangladesh.<h4>Introduction</h4>Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED) is a subacute inflammation of the small intestinal (SI) mucosa associated with undernutrition and perturbation of the SI microbiota. Its diagnosis relies on histopathological assessment of small intestinal biopsies, with a lack of validated biomarkers contributing to underdiagnosis. This study assessed the prevalence and histological features of EED in undernourished Bangladeshi women living in an urban slum in Dhaka, compared to well-nourished women from slum and non-slum areas, and examined the factors associated with histologically confirmed EED.<h4>Methods</h4>This analysis included non-pregnant, non-lactating Bangladeshi women aged 18-45 years classified by location of residence and nutritional status: well-nourished non-slu2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Jan2026-07-15T06:32:25.669Z2026-06-30T03:22:00.934ZS-EPMC128700674148611610.1186/s12876-025-04589-1