A patient with a resection of the distal 50 cm of the ileum is most likely to develop which of the following conditions?
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Correct answer: Megaloblastic anemia with steatorrhea
The terminal ileum is the exclusive site for Vitamin B12 absorption and the primary site for bile salt reabsorption. Loss of this segment leads to B12 deficiency (megaloblastic anemia) and impaired fat emulsification (steatorrhea) due to a depleted bile salt pool.
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