Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Genitourinary Disorders > Kidney > Nephrotic Syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome is a disorder where the kidneys have been damaged, causing them to leak protein from the blood into the urine. It is a fairly benign disease when it occurs in childhood, but may lead on to chronic renal failure, especially in adults, or be a sign of an underlying serious disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or a malignancy.
Signs and symptoms
- The most common sign is excess fluid in the body. This may take several forms:
- Puffiness around the eyes, characteristically in the morning.
- Edema over the legs which is pitting (i.e. leaves a little pit when the fluid is pressed out, which resolves over a few seconds).
- Fluid in the pleural cavity causing pleural effusion.
- Fluid in the peritoneal cavity causing ascites.
- Renal failure
- Hypertension (rarely)
- Some patients may notice foamy urine, due to a lowering of the specific gravity by the high amount of proteinuria. Actual urinary complaints such as hematuria or oliguria are uncommon, and are seen commonly in nephritic syndrome.
Laboratory Findings
- Proteinuria (Nephrotic syndrome is arbitrarily defined as urinary protein loss of greater than 3.5 g/day)
- Hypoalbuminemia
- High levels of cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), specifically elevated LDL, usually with concomitantly elevated VLDL
- Lipiduria
- Coagulation abnormalities: renal vein thrombosis more common than thrombosis in nonrenal circulation.
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Australian Kidney Foundation - Explains what nephrotic syndrome is, the causes, the types, treatment and complications.
Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome - An in depth look at this disorder. Included is a look at the kidneys and what there function is. Also a discussion about the treatment, prednisone and what some of the effects might be.
Dr Hull Encyclopedia - A description of nephrotic syndrome with a look at the causes and treatments.
Dr. Rajesh Shah - Nephrotic Syndrome website for information, research, and on-line treatment. Includes signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and FAQ's.
Meta Description: [ Nephrotic Syndrome website for information, research, on-line treatment. Signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, on-line management, FAQs, etc. ]
Drkoop.com: Medical Encyclopedia: Nephrotic Syndrome - Definition, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
General Practice Notebook - Nephrotic syndrome - Clinically-oriented information.
Go Ask Alice - Information about nephrotic syndrome, including what it is, they symptoms and treatment.
Meta Description: [
Dear Alice,
I have a kidney disease which my doctors have been unable to diagnose. Where is a good place
to look for some help? My doctors have told me it is nephrotic syndrome, but they don't know
what is causing it. Can you help?
]
MCW HealthLink - A detailed description of nephrotic syndrome with the symptoms, causes and treatment.
Meta Description: [ Nephrotic syndrome is a condition marked by very high
levels of protein in the urine; low levels of protein in the blood; swelling, especially around the eyes, feet, and hands; and high cholesterol.
]
Methodist Health Care System - An article about nephrotic syndrome with an explanation as to what it is, the causes and treatment.
Meta Description: [ Methodist Hospital System ]
MGN Support Group - A UK based group for sufferers of membranous nephropathy, with links to an active support group.
Meta Description: [ Home page of MGN Support Group ]
NephrologyChannel: NS - An overview of Nephrotic syndrome, including a description, the causes, symptoms, diagnoses and treatment.
Meta Description: [ Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a condition that is often caused by any of a group of diseases that damage the kidneys' filtering system. Nephrotic-range proteinuria, the urination of more than 3.5 grams of protein during a 24-hour period, is the primary indicator of NS. In addition to proteinuria, t... ]
Nephrotic Syndrome - Offers QAs from Pediatric Oncall.
Meta Description: [ Patient information on Nephrotic syndrome, its cause, treatment, recurrences at www.pediatriconcall.com ]
Pediatric Oncall - Information about diet and nephrotic syndrome.
Meta Description: [ Find out about the right kind of food for nephrotic syndrome at www.pediatriconcall.com ]
The Merck Manual - An in depth look at nephrotic syndrome as well as lipoid nephrosis, focal segmental gomeruloscleroses, HIV-associated nephropathy, and membranous glomerulonephritis.
The NephCure Foundation - Information on research, treatment and coping with Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS.
Meta Description: [ The mission of the NephCure Foundation is to support research seeking the cause of Nephrotic Syndrome and FSGS, improve treatment and find the cure. ]
The Nephrotic Syndrome - An article presented from the Renal Pathology Tutorial.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Nephritis - Describes in detail how TCM practitioners in China solve this disorder with traditional Chinese strategies and herbs.
WebMD - Offers information about nephrotic syndrome. Covers details such as alternate names, a definition, causes, incidence and risk factors, symptoms, signs and tests, treatment, prognosis, complications and when to call a doctor.
