What Is Nephrotic Syndrome And What Causes It?

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What Is Nephrotic Syndrome And What Causes It?
Nephrotic syndrome is disease of the kidneys
where the filtering system made of functional
units called the nephrons, gets damaged. This is
the name given to the collection of findings
which develop as a result of such a damage. When
the filtering system gets damaged, the kidney
tends to filter substances which it usually
doesnt, and filter less of substances which it
usually does. All of these issues give rise to
some characteristic findings, which include

• Large amounts of protein present in the urine
  which results from leakage of protein through
  the damaged nephrons which usually prevent
  protein leak. This is known as proteinuria in
  medical terms and is calculated according to
  your childs age and body weight.
• Low levels of protein in the blood, which results
  from the protein leaking out into the urine, and
  is called Hypoalbuminemia.
• Edema or tissue swelling in all areas of the
  body, which is the result of reduced levels of
  protein in the blood. This swelling is
  especially evident around the eyes, in the face,
  and in the abdomen which is known as ascites.
  The swelling results because the protein in the
  blood actually acts like a sponge which helps to
  keep most of the fluid in the blood, and when
  there is a reduced amount of proteins in the
  blood, the water tends to leak out from the blood
  into the tissues, resulting in swelling.
• Increased levels of cholesterol in the blood,
  which results from reduced levels of protein in
  the blood which is a signal for the body to
  increase its production of certain types of fat.

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The symptoms and signs of nephrotic syndrome
The signs and symptoms that children often
present with include
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• Malaise and fatigue
• Abdominal pain and swelling
• Frothy urine
• Increased body weight and facial edema
• Loss of appetite
• Paleness of the nail bed
• Dull hair
• Development of intolerance to certain food or
  allergies
• The cartilage of the ears may feel less firm
• The different types of nephrotic syndrome
• There are different types of nephrotic syndromes
  in existence as a result of the different
  causes. Some of these causes include, diabetes,
  hepatitis B and C, medications such as
  corticosteroids, and conditions like systemic
  lupus erythematosis, and cancer of the kidneys.
  The most common type of nephrotic syndrome to
  affect children is one that is known as
  idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, where there is no
  identifiable underlying cause.
• Nephrotic syndrome can also be categorized
  according to the way the kidney tissue appears
  when it is viewed under a microscope following a
  biopsy. According to this tow forms have been
  recognized, Minimal Change Disease (MCD) and
  Focal Glomerular Sclerosis (FSGS).
• Minimal Change Disease (MSD)
• This is most common form to affect children and
  you will see that the renal cells look almost
  normal when seen under the microscope. It
  responds well to steroids, and has a good outcome
  in most cases. This form doesnt have any
  lasting damage on kidney function, and relapses
  less and less frequently as the child ages, and
  is usually absent in adulthood. It is very rare
  for a child affected by minimal change disease
  to require dialysis or kidney transplant.
• Focal Glomerular Sclerosis (FSGS)

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This form of disease is present only in about 10
of the children with nephrotic syndrome. It
requires biopsies in order to be diagnosed and
doesnt usually respond to steroid therapy, and
is an aggressive form, which more often than not
requires the child to undergo dialysis or a
kidney transplant. What is congenital nephrotic
syndrome? As the word suggests this form of
nephrotic syndrome is present at birth, but it
is most likely that the condition will go
unnoticed at the time of birth and be discovered
only when the baby is few months old. It is a
very rare condition and is caused by a genetic
predisposition where both parents have to be
carriers of the condition. It is a very
aggressive and severe form of nephrotic syndrome
where the affected baby will require a kidney
transplant as soon as possible, ideally within
the first few years of life. And till a
transplant becomes possible, the baby will
require transfusions of blood protein almost
every day, because the protein leaks out from
the kidneys at a rapid rate. They will also
require frequent boosting of their immune system
and hormones in order to keep them healthy till
the transplant can be done, and till they reach
the appropriate weight with which a transplant
becomes possible, which is about 15 pounds when
the child is roughly around one year.