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Overview of Albumin Physiology and its Role in Pediatric Diseases

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology (S Orenstein and S Khan, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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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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  1. Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Charles B. Chen, Jessica Barry & Kadakkal Radhakrishnan

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA

    Bilasan Hammo

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  1. Charles B. Chen
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Charles B. Chen, Bilasan Hammo, Jessica Barry, and Kadakkal Radhakrishnan declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Chen, C.B., Hammo, B., Barry, J. et al. Overview of Albumin Physiology and its Role in Pediatric Diseases. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 23, 11 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-021-00813-6

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