When you read the testimonials and memoirs of survivors of WWII concentration camps, many of them mention that the weight loss form severe malnutrition was quite remarkable, and yet, their ankles and feet would get so swollen that walking would become difficult. How do you explain the swelling in the concentration camp victims? (hint: it has something to do with albumin)

 

Answer:

The condition of swelling in the body due to low albumin concentration is hypoalbuminemia.

Albumin is a protein that is present in the blood plasma and is formed in the liver. It is involved in the transportation of enzymes, minerals, fatty acids, and hormones. It also maintains the oncotic pressure of the blood. Oncotic pressure maintains the retention of water into the blood vessels.

The condition that involves the deficiency of albumin is termed as hypoalbuminemia. Some common causes of this condition are the intake of poor nutritional diet, low protein intake, and increased excretion of albumin from kidney due to renal dysfunction. The symptoms of hypoalbuminemia are swelling or edema in varying parts of the body, cramps, fatigue and poor appetite. The reduction in the albumin concentration in blood will decrease the oncotic pressure. This decreased pressure will lead to the flow of water (osmosis) from the blood vessels into the interstitium under the skin and cavity and tissue leading to the development of edema.