Acute hypertrophic gastropathy of childhood

Acute hypertrophic gastropathy of childhood is a rare disease characterized by gastrointestinal complaints and hypoalbuminemia due to protein loss from the stomach. The disease is benign, with complete recovery within a few months. We describe 2 girls with this condition, both 3 years old, in whom a detailed workup was performed, including upper gastrointestinal tract X-rays, ultrasound examination of the abdomen, and gastroscopy with mucosal biopsy. Gastrointestinal protein loss was demonstrated by measuring alpha 1 antitrypsin in the feces. Both children recovered spontaneously within a few weeks.