In nephrotic syndrome, what condition does hypoalbuminemia lead to?

In nephrotic syndrome, hypoalbuminemia is a key feature that leads to significant physiological changes, most notably the development of edema. Albumin, a protein synthesized in the liver, plays an essential role in maintaining oncotic pressure within the vascular system. Oncotic pressure is the osmotic pressure exerted by proteins in blood plasma that draws water into the circulatory system, helping to keep fluid within the vasculature.

When hypoalbuminemia occurs, the reduction in plasma albumin levels decreases oncotic pressure. As a result, fluid that would typically remain within the blood vessels leaks into the interstitial spaces, leading to swelling or edema. This manifestation is especially visible in the legs, abdomen, and sometimes in other areas of the body, as the excess fluid accumulates.

The other options do not directly correlate with the primary effect of hypoalbuminemia in nephrotic syndrome. While increased blood pressure could occur due to fluid overload from edema, it is not a direct consequence of hypoalbuminemia itself. Dehydration results from loss of fluid volume, which typically is not the case in nephrotic syndrome as the fluid is not lost from the body but rather redistributed. Impaired filtration can be associated with nephrot