Abstract

GARCIA GARCIA, Felipa E. et al. Ménétrier´s disease. Rev. bol. ped. [online]. 2003, vol.42, n.3, pp.177-179. ISSN 1024-0675.

Ménétrier's disease is characterized for a giant fold of tissue to grow in the stomach wall. This disease belongs to a group of hyperplastic gastrophaties that interfere with the absorption of protein; its cause is unknown. This is a disorder that appears between the age of 30 to 60 years old. It´s not common in adult people being unusual in pediatric patients. The symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, tenderness in the middle part of the abdomen and loss of weight; there is not an especific treatment, only symptomatic and support to reduce its symptoms. We report about a child 7-years old who appeared with unusual symptoms like edemas, ascitis, and pleural effusion, confirmed by imaging studies, besides an increased diameter of the stomach wall. We made a gastrointestinal X-ray study, seeing irregularities in the filling and the walls of the stomach. Through a gastric endoscopy we observed a thick stomach wall, with lot of secretions. The symptomatic treatment was carried out with albumin, gastric protectors and a high-protein diet. The patient left the hospital 3 weeks later without outstanding symptoms.

Keywords : Rev Soc Bol Ped 2003; 42 (3): 177-9; ménétrier´s disease; hiperplastic gastrophaty; foveolar gastrophaty.