Protein losing enteropathy as a manifestation of Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) commonly include abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. Hypoproteinemia and edema could be related to renal involvement. We report a 14-year-old boy with classical features of HSP manifestated with edema due to severe intestinal protein loss, measured by elevated fecal alpha 1 antitrypsin secretion. The protein losing enteropathy subsided with corticosteroid therapy.