Protein losing enteropathy in acute infantile diarrhea

ABSTRACT

One hundred and sixteen well-nourished infants, 3-24 months of age, with acute diarrhea, as well as 20 healthy infants of matching age and sex were studied for protein losing enteropathy [PLE]. PLE was assessed by measuring random fecal excretion of alpha -antitrypsin [AT] and determination of fecal alpha 1- AT/ serum alpha 1- AT ratio, where a ratio of > 1 is indicative of PLE. Forty one [35.3%] out of the 116 diarrheic infants showed evidence of PLE. This intestinal protein loss was of short duration, and had no impact on serum proteins. There was no relation between the causative organism and the frequency of PLE