Protein losing enteropathy in children

Protein-losing enteropathy is a medical condition which is characterized by loss of protein, vitamin and trace elements into the intestines which can be complicated by various diseases. The main causes of protein-losing enteropathy in children are primary or secondary intestinal lymphangiectesia, Menetrier disease, inflammatory and immunological disorders. Hypoalbuminemia, developed due to intestinal protein loss, provides the basis of clinical findings. Treatment and prognosis of the disease is closely related to the underlying disease. In this paper, the causes of protein-losing enteropapathy, clinical findings and treatment approaches were reviewed in the light of current information. (Turk Arch Ped 2013; 48: 7-12)