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Current Gastroenterology Reports
Published in: Current Gastroenterology Reports 8/2021

01-08-2021 | Malnutrition | Pediatric Gastroenterology (S Orenstein and S Khan, Section Editors)

Overview of Albumin Physiology and its Role in Pediatric Diseases

Authors: Charles B. Chen, Bilasan Hammo, Jessica Barry, Kadakkal Radhakrishnan

Published in: Current Gastroenterology Reports | Issue 8/2021

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Albumin plays a critical role in a wide range of disease processes; however, the role of albumin in pediatric patients has not been well described. This article aims to review albumin physiology and kinetics in children, albumin’s impact on pediatric diseases, and the utility of albumin as a predictor of clinical outcome.

Recent Findings

Hypoalbuminemia is seen in a wide range of conditions, including protein-losing enteropathy, hepatic synthetic failure, malnutrition, inflammatory states, and renal disease. While the impact of hypoalbuminemia has been more extensively studied in adult patients, there is a relative paucity of literature in the pediatric population.

Summary

Hypoalbuminemia is a marker of poor outcome in critically ill children and those undergoing a wide range of medical interventions. Albumin infusions may be an effective therapy for fluid resuscitation and for patients with severe hypoalbuminemia.
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Metadata
Title
Overview of Albumin Physiology and its Role in Pediatric Diseases
Authors
Charles B. Chen
Bilasan Hammo
Jessica Barry
Kadakkal Radhakrishnan
Publication date
01-08-2021
Publisher
Springer US
Keyword
Malnutrition
Published in
Current Gastroenterology Reports / Issue 8/2021
Print ISSN: 1522-8037
Electronic ISSN: 1534-312X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-021-00813-6

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