Minimal Change Disease
Alternate Names : Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome of Childhood, Lipoid Nephrosis, Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome, Nil Disease
Definition
Minimal change disease is a kidney disorder. Each kidney is made of more than a million units called nephrons. Each nephron has a tuft of blood vessels called a glomerulus, which is surrounded by a Bowman's Capsule. Together, these structures filter blood and form urine.
Minimal change disease is one cause of nephrotic syndrome. It is named "minimal change" because the nephrons appear totally normal under a light microscope. The condition is only seen using an electron microscope, which reveals changes in the Bowman's Capsule in the nephrons. Urine tests also show high protein levels.
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