Nephrotic Syndrome Specialists in Maharashtra
Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder characterised by significant damage to the tiny filtering units within the kidneys, causing large amounts of protein to …
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What is Nephrotic Syndrome?
Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder characterised by significant damage to the tiny filtering units within the kidneys, causing large amounts of protein to leak from the blood into the urine. This protein loss leads to low blood protein levels, which in turn causes fluid to shift out of blood vessels into surrounding tissues, resulting in the characteristic widespread swelling associated with the condition. The syndrome can occur at any age, with certain causes being more common in children and others more typical in adults, and can result from a primary kidney disorder or occur as a complication of a systemic disease such as diabetes or lupus. Along with swelling, the significant protein loss disrupts the body's normal balance of fats and increases susceptibility to infections and blood clots. Treatment addresses both the underlying cause where identifiable and the complications arising from significant protein loss, with many cases, particularly in children, responding well to medication.
Moderate
Uncommon — a relatively rare kidney disorder, though it is one of the more common kidney conditions diagnosed in children
No
Causes of Nephrotic Syndrome
Caused by damage to the kidney's filtering units, either from a primary kidney disease such as minimal change disease or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, or as a complication of a systemic condition such as diabetes, lupus, or amyloidosis. In children, minimal change disease is the most common underlying cause, while in adults, a broader range of primary and secondary causes are seen. Certain infections and medications can also trigger nephrotic syndrome in susceptible individuals.
Symptoms of Nephrotic Syndrome
Significant swelling particularly around the eyes, legs, and abdomen, foamy or frothy urine, unintended weight gain from fluid retention, fatigue, loss of appetite, increased susceptibility to infections, high cholesterol levels found on blood testing
Treatment & Types of Nephrotic Syndrome in Maharashtra
Treatment often includes corticosteroids as first-line therapy, particularly effective in minimal change disease common in children, with other immunosuppressive medications used for cases that do not respond adequately. Supportive management includes diuretics to reduce swelling, blood pressure medications that also reduce protein loss, and dietary salt restriction. Treating the underlying systemic condition, when present, such as optimising diabetes control, is essential for cases secondary to another disease.
Nephrotic syndrome is classified by underlying cause as primary, resulting from a kidney-specific disease such as minimal change disease, the most common cause in children, or focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, or secondary, occurring as a complication of a systemic disease such as diabetes, lupus, or amyloidosis, which is more common in adults.
Nephrology Specialists in Maharashtra (0)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is nephrotic syndrome different in children versus adults?
Minimal change disease, which usually responds very well to corticosteroids, is the most common cause in children, while adults more often have a broader range of causes, some of which respond less predictably to steroids alone.
What does foamy urine indicate?
Foamy or frothy urine reflects the significant protein leaking from blood into urine that characterizes nephrotic syndrome, and is often one of the earliest noticeable signs alongside swelling.
Can nephrotic syndrome be cured?
Many children with minimal change disease respond very well to corticosteroids and go into remission, though relapses can occur; adult and secondary causes often require ongoing management of the underlying condition rather than an outright cure.
Why does nephrotic syndrome cause high cholesterol?
The liver increases production of fats and cholesterol partly in response to the low blood protein levels caused by significant protein loss in the urine, which is why elevated cholesterol is a common finding on blood tests.
Are people with nephrotic syndrome more prone to infections?
Yes, the significant loss of protein, including certain immune proteins, in the urine increases susceptibility to infections, making prompt treatment of any infection especially important.