Regional Enteritis Presenting as Hypoproteinemia Without Intestinal Symptoms

A 24-year-old white man had regional enteritis presenting as pedal edema eight months prior to the onset of gastrointestinal complaints. Protein-losing enteropathy was demonstrated by a 15% excretion of chromated Cr 51 serum albumin in the stool. Regional enteritis as the cause of this enteropathy was revealed by roentgenography, exploratory laparotomy, and subsequent clinical course.