Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli (renal corpuscles) of the kidneys caused by many different factors.
It is the most common cause of terminal renal failure (kidney failure requiring replacement therapy in the form of dialysis or kidney transplantation) in Germany, accounting for 24%.
The following main forms are distinguished
- Minimal-change glomerulonephritis (glomerular minimal lesion) most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children
- Focal segmental sclerosing glomerulonephritis in adults cause of circa 15% of nephrotic syndrome; may be primary or secondary (secondary to other diseases)
- Membranous glomerulonephritis in adults the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome; accounts for 15-20% of all glomerulonephritis; may be primary or secondary (secondary to other diseases)
- Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis associated with nephrotic syndrome in 50%
- Mesangial IgA glomerulonephritis most common form, accounting for up to 35% of cases
- Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis occurs in 2-7% of patients; the disease is classified into different causative groups
Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by proteinuria (loss of protein with urine), resulting hypoproteinemia (too little protein in the blood), hyperlipoproteinemia, and edema (water retention).
