Which congenital condition is characterized by the inability of the newborn's digestive system to absorb nutrients?

Short bowel syndrome is the correct answer as it specifically refers to a condition where a significant portion of the small intestine is absent or not functional, leading to the newborn's digestive system being unable to adequately absorb nutrients from food. This can occur following surgical resections for congenital anomalies or conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis. Infants with short bowel syndrome often require specialized nutritional support, such as total parenteral nutrition (TPN), during their treatment.

In the context of the other choices: gastroschisis involves an abdominal wall defect that exposes the intestines outside the body, which can affect nutrient absorption but does not inherently prevent the absorption of nutrients like short bowel syndrome does. Meckel's diverticulum is a congenital abnormality that can lead to complications but does not itself cause nutrient absorption issues. Trisomy 21, or Down syndrome, is a genetic disorder that can affect various systems in the body but is not directly associated with nutrient absorption problems in the newborn's digestive tract.