A Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patient with Protein Losing Enteropathy

Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and it is an uncommon cause of hypoalbuminemia without proteinuria. We describe a case of an 11 year-old girl who had diarrhea and periorbital edema as the initial symptoms of SLE. PLE was diagnosed by 24-hour stool alpha-1 antitrypsin clearance and (99m)Tc-human serum albumin scintigraphy.