2. Definition
• Manifestation of glomerular disease,
characterized by nephrotic range proteinuria
and a triad of clinical findings associated with
large urinary losses of protein :
hypoalbuminaemia , edema and
hyperlipidemia
- Nelson Textbook of Paediatrics, Vol 2, 19th Edition, page 1801
3. Why ‘nephrotic range’
• Defined as
– protein excretion of > 40 mg/m2/hr
– First morning protein : creatinine ratio of > 2-3 : 1
Other causes of proteinuria
- Nelson Textbook of Paediatrics, Vol 2, 19th Edition, page 1801
4. Incidence ( paediatric ) ?
• 2 – 7 cases per 100,000 children per year
• Higher in underdeveloped countries ( South
east Asia )
• Occurs at all ages but is most prevalent in
children between the ages 1.5-6 years.
• It affects more boys than girls, 2:1 ratio
http://www.kidney.org/site/107/pdf/NephroticSyndrome.pdf
11. Complex disturbances in
immune system
Genetic Mutations /
Mutations in proteins
Extensive effacement of podocyte foot processes
Increased permeability of the glomerular capillary wall
Massive proteinuria
Hypoalbuminaemia
Edema
13. • Edema
– Mild to start with – peri orbital puffiness, lower extremities
– Progression to generalized edema, ascites, pleural
effusion, genital edema
• Decreased urine output
• Anorexia, Irritability, Abdominal pain and diarrhoea
• Absence of
– Hypertension
– Gross hematuria
- Nelson Textbook of Paediatrics, Vol 2, 19th Edition, page 1802
14. CLINICAL FEATURES Minimal Change
Nephrotic Syndrome
Focal Segmental
Glomerulosclerosis
Membranous
Nephropathy
Age ( yr ) 2 - 6 2 - 10 40 - 50
Sex ( M : F ) 2 : 1 1.3 : 1 2 : 1
Nephrotic Syndrome 100 % 90 % 80 %
Asymptomatic
proteinuria
0 10 % 20 %
Hematuria 10 – 20 % 60 – 80 % 60 %
Hypertension 10 % 20 % early infrequent
Rate of progression
to renal failure
Non progressive 10 yrs 50 % in 10 – 20
yrs
Associated
Conditions
Usually none None Renal vein
thrombosis,
SLE,
Hepatitis B
- Nelson Textbook of Paediatrics, Vol 2 : page 1803, table 521-2
15. DIFFERENTIALS
• Protein losing enteropathy
• Hepatic failure
• Heart failure
• Acute/Chronic Glomerulonephritis
• Protein Malnutrition
• < 1 year old
• Family history of nephrotic Syndrome
• Hypertension
• Pulmonary edema
• Gross hematuria
• Extrarenal findings
16. Lab Investigations
• Urine Examination
• Complete Blood Count & Blood picture
• Renal parameters :
– Spot Urine Protein : Creatinine ratio
– Urinary protein excretion
– protein selectivity ratio
• Liver Function Test
• Renal Biopsy ???
17. • Urinalysis - 3+ to 4+ proteinuria
• Renal Function
–Spot UPC ratio > 2.0
–UPE > 40 mg/m2/hr
• Serum Creatinine – normal or elevated
• Serum albumin - < 2.5 gm/dl
• Serum Cholesterol/ TGA levels – elevated
• Serum Complement levels – Normal or low
- Nelson Textbook of Paediatrics, Vol 2, 19th Edition, page 1804
18. Additional Tests
• C3 and antistreptolysin O
• Chest X ray and tuberculin test
• ANA
• Hepatitis B surface antigen
Ghai Essential Paediatrics,8th edition, page 478
Indications for Biopsy
• Age below 12 months
• Gross or persistent microscopic hematuria
• Low blood C3
• Hypertension
• Impaired renal Function
• Failure of steroid therapy
19. Idiopathic Lab Findings
Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome Raised BUN in 15 – 30 %
Highly Selective proteinuria
Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Raised BUN in 20 – 40 %
Membranous Nephropathy
Membranoproliferative
Glomerulonephritis
Type I Low C1, C4 , C3 – C9
Type II Normal C1, C4 , Low C3 – C9
- Nelson Textbook of Paediatrics, Vol 2 : page 1803, table 521-2
20. Cause Light
microscopy
Immunoflorescence Electron Microscopy
Minimal Change
Nephrotic
Syndrome
Normal Negative Foot process fusion
Focal Segmental
Glomerulosclerosis
Focal
sclerotic
lesions
IgM, C3 in lesions Foot process fusion
Membranous
Nephropathy
Thickened
GBM
Fine Granular IgG Sub epithelial deposits
Membranoprolifer
ative
Glomerulonephriti
s
Type I Thickened
GBM,
proliferation
Granular IgG, C3 Mesangial and
subendothelial deposits
Type II Lobulation C3 only Dense deposits
- Nelson Textbook of Paediatrics, Vol 2 : page 1803, table 521-2
22. Initial Episode
• High protein diet
• Salt moderation
• Treatment of infections
• If significant edema – diuretics Aldosterone
antagonist ( Fursemide, spironolactone )
• Corticosteroid therapy with Prednisolone or
prednisone
– ( 2mg/kg per day for 6 weeks followed by
1.5 mg/kg single morning dose on alternate days for
6 weeks )
Ghai Essential Paediatrics,8th edition, page 476, 477
23. Subsequent course
• Relapse
– Infrequent Relapsers : 3 or less relapses per year
– Frequent Relapsers : 4 or more relapses per year
• Steroid therapy
– Steroid dependant : relapse following dose
reduction or discontinuation
– Steroid resistant : Partial or no response to initial
treatment
Ghai Essential Paediatrics,8th edition, page 479
24. Management of Relapse
• Parent Education
• Symptomatic therapy for infections in case of
low grade proteinuria
• Persistent proteinuria ( 3 - 4+ ) –
– Prednisolone
( 2mg/kg/day until protein is negative for 3 days )
1.5 mg/kg on alternate days for 4 weeks )
Ghai Essential Paediatrics,8th edition, page 479