Protein-losing enteropathy

Protein-losing enteropathy is an abnormal loss of protein from the digestive tract. It can also refer to the inability of the digestive tract to absorb proteins.

Causes

There are many causes of protein-losing enteropathy. Conditions that cause serious inflammation in the intestines can lead to protein loss. Some of these are:

Bacterial or parasitic infection of the intestines
Celiac disease
Crohn disease
HIV infection
Lymphoma
Lymphatic obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract
Intestinal lymphangiectasia

Symptoms

Symptoms can include:

Diarrhea
Fever
Abdominal pain
Swelling (edema)

Symptoms will depend on the disease that is causing the problem.

Exams and Tests

You may need tests that look at the intestinal tract. These may include a CT scan of the abdomen or an upper GI bowel series.

Other tests you may need include:

Colonoscopy
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Small intestine biopsy
Alpha-1-antitrypsin test
Small bowel capsule endoscopy
CT or MR enterography

Treatment

The health care provider will treat the condition that caused protein-losing enteropathy.

References

Greenwald DA. Protein losing gastroenteropathy. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 31.

Semrad CE. Approach to the patient with diarrhea and malabsorption. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 126.

Review Date 8/12/2024

Updated by: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Gastroenterologist, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.