THE PLASMA PROTEINS IN RELATION TO BLOOD HYDRATION

Abstract

Edema has been observed in patients with malnutrition only when serum albumin is below the normal level. It almost invariably develops when serum albumin falls below 3%, is seldom found when albumin exceeds 4%. Malnutritional edema appears to be referable to a serum albumin deficiency brought about by wastage of body protein, the result of disease or inadequate diet.