J Korean Pediatr Soc.  2001 May;44(5):587-591.

A Case of Protein-losing Enteropathy in Congestive Heart Failure : Resolution with Prednisolone

• Choi JW

Abstract

Protein-losing enteropathy can result from primary or secondary intestinal lymphangiectasia. Sec ondary intestinal lymphangiectasia develops as a result of lymphatic obstruction or elevated lym phatic pressure. Cardiac lesions such as constrictive pericarditis, post-Fontan procedure state, and chronic congestive heart failure increase lymphatic pressure and may cause intestinal lymphan giectasia and protein-losing enteropathy. An 11-year-old girl who underwent corrective surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot at two years of age had been suffering from chronic congestive heart failure, taking digitalis and diuretics. She was afflicted with protein-losing enteropathy nine years after surgery. Diagnosis was made by means of radioisotope scan using technetium-99m-labeled albumin. Symptoms were not improved with diet therapy, so prednisolone was given orally and remission was achieved. Although relapses occurred four times, remission was achieved with pre dnisolone at each time. Thereafter the patient remained in remission state over one year after dis continuation of prednisolone.

Keyword

Protein-losing enteropathy; Congestive heart failure; Technetium-99m-labeled albumin; Prednisolone

MeSH Terms

Child
Diagnosis
Diet Therapy
Digitalis
Diuretics
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)*
Female
Heart Failure*
Humans
Pericarditis, Constrictive
Prednisolone*
Protein-Losing Enteropathies*
Recurrence
Tetralogy of Fallot
Diuretics
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)
Prednisolone