Endocrine ascites, sometimes a symptom of an endocrine system disorder, also affects women who are taking fertility drugs. Renal ascites develops when blood levels of albumin dip below normal. Albumin is the major protein in blood plasma. It functions to keep fluid inside the blood vessels. This change in pressure allows fluid to seep out of the blood vessels.
Portal hypertension is caused by the scarring that occurs in cirrhosis.
Blood that cannot flow through the liver because of the increased pressure leaks into the abdomen and causes ascites. Persons who have systemic lupus erythematosus but do not have liver disease or portal hypertension occasionally develop ascites. Symptoms Small amounts of fluid in the abdomen do not usually produce symptoms. Diagnosis Skin stretches tightly across an abdomen that contains large amounts of fluid. The navel bulges or lies flat, and the fluid makes a dull sound when the doctor taps the abdomen.