Which laboratory value is commonly decreased in severe malnutrition?

Which laboratory value is commonly decreased in severe malnutrition?

• A. Albumin
• B. Hemoglobin
• C. Sodium
• D. Creatinine

Answer: (A)

In severe malnutrition, protein intake is extremely limited, so the liver’s production of albumin drops. Albumin helps keep fluid in the bloodstream (plasma oncotic pressure); when its level falls, fluid shifts into the interstitial space, leading to edema and related complications. Albumin’s relatively long half-life also means that low levels reflect prolonged protein deficiency rather than short-term fluctuations, making hypoalbuminemia a common laboratory finding in severe malnutrition. While other values like hemoglobin, sodium, or creatinine can change for various reasons (iron status, hydration, muscle mass), they are not as consistently decreased due to malnutrition alone as albumin is.

In severe malnutrition, protein intake is extremely limited, so the liver’s production of albumin drops. Albumin helps keep fluid in the bloodstream (plasma oncotic pressure); when its level falls, fluid shifts into the interstitial space, leading to edema and related complications. Albumin’s relatively long half-life also means that low levels reflect prolonged protein deficiency rather than short-term fluctuations, making hypoalbuminemia a common laboratory finding in severe malnutrition.

While other values like hemoglobin, sodium, or creatinine can change for various reasons (iron status, hydration, muscle mass), they are not as consistently decreased due to malnutrition alone as albumin is.