Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic Syndrome: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate nephrotic syndrome: Pathognomonic (indicative of a disease). Proteinuria >3.5 g/d – increased excretion of protein in the urine; foamy urine Hypoproteinemia – decreased protein in the blood. Hyperlipidemia (hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia) – increased blood lipids. Hypocalcemia (calcium deficiency) Hypalbuminemic edema (hypalbuminemia/decreased concentration of the plasma protein albumin in blood … Nephrotic Syndrome: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

Nephrotic Syndrome: Causes

Pathogenesis (disease development) In nephrotic syndrome, epithelial damage (podocytes and basement membrane) occurs as a result of the diseases, medications, or environmental exposures/intoxications (poisoning) listed below, resulting in an abnormally permeable membrane of the glomerulus (renal corpuscle). This leads to the symptoms described. In approximately 70% of cases, the cause of nephrotic syndrome is primary … Nephrotic Syndrome: Causes

Nephrotic Syndrome: Therapy

Therapy for nephrotic syndrome depends on the etiology (cause) of the disease. General measures Physical rest Drug treatment of concomitant diseases – arterial hypertension (high blood pressure), hypercholesterolemia (lipid metabolism disorder; a too high level of cholesterol in the blood). Nicotine restriction (abstaining from tobacco use) – tobacco use is a risk factor for kidney … Nephrotic Syndrome: Therapy

Nephrotic Syndrome: Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome. Family history Is there a history of frequent kidney disease in your family? Social history What is your profession? Are they exposed to harmful agents in your profession? Current medical history/systemic medical history (somatic and psychological complaints). Have you noticed … Nephrotic Syndrome: Medical History

Nephrotic Syndrome: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Congenital malformations, deformities, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99). Alport syndrome (also called progressive hereditary nephritis) – genetic disorder with both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance with malformed collagen fibers that can lead to nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys) with progressive renal failure (kidney weakness), sensorineural hearing loss, and various eye diseases such as a cataract … Nephrotic Syndrome: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis

Nephrotic Syndrome: Complications

The following are the major diseases or complications that may be contributed to by nephrotic syndrome (not including the underlying disease(s)): Respiratory system (J00-J99) Pleural effusion (excessive accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity; due to albumin deficiency). Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (E00-E90). Hyperlipidemia/dyslipidemia (lipid metabolism disorders). Hypercholesterolemia (LDL cholesterol elevation). Hypertriglyceridemia (excessive triglyceride … Nephrotic Syndrome: Complications

Nephrotic Syndrome: Examination

A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin and mucous membranes [hypalbuminemic edema (formation of water retention in tissues that occurs due to decreased presence of albumin (protein) in the body): pretibial edema?/water retention in the … Nephrotic Syndrome: Examination

Nephrotic Syndrome: Test and Diagnosis

1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Small blood count Differential blood count Electrolytes – calcium ↓, sodium ↓, potassium ↓ Urine status (rapid test for: pH, leukocytes, nitrite, protein ↑, ketone, blood), sediment, if necessary urine culture (pathogen detection and resistogram, that is, testing of suitable antibiotics for sensitivity/resistance). Fasting glucose (fasting blood … Nephrotic Syndrome: Test and Diagnosis

Nephrotic Syndrome: Drug Therapy

Therapeutic targets Flushing out edema (water retention) or ascites (abdominal fluid). Avoidance of complications (albumin deficiency, thrombosis / vascular disease in which a blood clot (thrombus) forms in a blood vessel). Effective treatment of concomitant diseases Therapy recommendations Treatment of the underlying disease (about 70% has glomerular disease: glomerulonephritis, etc.). Diuresis to flush out edema, … Nephrotic Syndrome: Drug Therapy

Nephrotic Syndrome: Diagnostic Tests

Obligatory medical device diagnostics. Renal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of the kidneys) [nephrotic syndrome: significantly enlarged kidneys, marked increase in parenchymechogenicity] Renal biopsy (tissue sampling from the kidney) – for definitive diagnosis, treatment planning, prognosis assessmentNote: Primarily not indicated in typical age of manifestation (childhood) and characteristic course with response to ex-juvantibus therapy (“clarification of the … Nephrotic Syndrome: Diagnostic Tests