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Nephrotic Syndrome
Alternate Names : Nephrosis
DefinitionNephrotic syndrome is a constellation of signs and symptoms including protein in the urine (exceeding 3.5 grams per day), low blood protein levels, high cholesterol levels, and swelling. The urine may also contain fat, which is visible under the microscope.
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Nephrotic syndrome is caused by various disorders that damage the kidneys, particularly the basement membrane of the glomerulus. This immediately causes abnormal excretion of protein in the urine.
The most common cause in children is minimal change disease, while membranous glomerulonephritis is the most common cause in adults.
This condition can also occur as a result of infection, drug exposure, malignancy, hereditary disorders, immune disorders, or diseases that affect multiple body systems including diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple myeloma, and amyloidosis. It can accompany kidney disorders, including glomerulonephritis, focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, and mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis.
Nephrotic syndrome can affect all age groups. In children, it is most common from age 2 to 6. Males are slightly more likely to be affected than females.
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• Definition
• Nephrotic Syndrome Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
• Nephrotic Syndrome Symptoms & Signs
• Nephrotic Syndrome Prevention
• Nephrotic Syndrome Diagnosis & Tests
• Nephrotic Syndrome Treatment
• Nephrotic Syndrome Prognosis
• Nephrotic Syndrome Complications
• Calling Your Health Care Provider
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Acute Kidney Failure
• Atherosclerosis
• Chronic Renal Failure
• Diabetes
• Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis
• Glomerulonephritis
• Heart Disease
• Heart Failure
• Hypertension
• Injury - Kidney and Ureter
• Lipid Disorders - Acquired
• Membranous Nephropathy
• Minimal Change Disease
• Multiple Myeloma
• Pneumonia
• Primary Amyloidosis
• Pulmonary Edema
• Renal Vein Thrombosis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Tests & Exams
• Albumin - Serum
• Antinuclear Antibody Panel
• Complement
• Cryoglobulins
• Glucose Tolerance Test
• Hepatitis Virus Test or Panel
• Protein - Urine
• Protein Electrophoresis - Urine
• Renal Biopsy
• Rheumatoid Factor
• Serum Iron
• Triglyceride Level
• Urinalysis
• Urinary Casts
• VDRL
Other Topics
• Abdomen - Swollen
• Acute
• Appetite - Decreased
• Cholesterol
• Chronic
• Cough
• Facial Swelling
• Fat
• Fever
• Headache
• High Blood Pressure
• Malignancy
• Physical Examination
• Protein in Diet
• Seizures
• Swelling
• Urination - Painful
• Urine Output - Decreased
• Vitamin D
• Weight Gain - Unintentional
Review Date : 10/17/2003
Reviewed By : Irfan A. Agha, M.D., Department of Medicine, Renal Division, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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