If a Child with Nephrotic Syndrome Loses Large Amounts of Albumin

Question

If a child with nephrotic syndrome loses large amounts of albumin in the urine (albuminuria),
A) plasma oncotic pressure decreases and edema develops.
B) capillary hydrostatic pressure increases, causing edema.
C) plasma oncotic pressure increases, thereby "pulling" fluid into the capillary, causing poor skin turgor.
D) lymph flow decreases.

Accepted Answer

Albumin is a protein that contributes to plasma oncotic pressure, which is the force that pulls fluid from the interstitial space into the capillaries. When there is less albumin in the blood due to albuminuria, plasma oncotic pressure decreases, which can lead to edema (swelling) as fluid accumulates in the interstitial space. This is the major mechanism of edema in nephrotic syndrome.