Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Childhood nephrotic syndrome) that could possibly cause Childhood nephrotic syndrome includes:
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Childhood nephrotic syndrome may be found in:
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About 75% of nephrotic syndrome cases result from primary (idiopathic) glomerulonephritis. Classifications include:
❑ In lipid nephrosis (nil lesions), the main cause of nephrotic syndrome in children, the glomerulus looks normal by light microscopy. Some tubules may contain increased lipid deposits.
❑ Membranous glomerulonephritis, the most common lesion in adult idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, is characterized by uniform thickening of the glomerular basement membrane containing dense deposits and eventually progresses to renal failure.
❑ Focal glomerulosclerosis can develop spontaneously at any age, follow renal transplantation, or result from heroin abuse. Reported incidence of this condition is 10% in children with nephrotic syndrome and up to 20% in adults. Lesions initially affect the deeper glomeruli, causing hyaline sclerosis, with later involvement of the superficial glomeruli. These lesions generally cause slowly progressive deterioration in renal function. Remissions occur occasionally.
❑ In membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, slowly progressive lesions develop in the subendothelial region of the basement membrane. Lesions may follow infection, particularly streptococcal infection. This disease occurs primarily in children and young adults.
Other causes of nephrotic syndrome include metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus; collagen-vascular disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and periarteritis nodosa; circulatory diseases, such as heart failure, sickle cell anemia, and renal vein thrombosis; nephrotoxins, such as mercury, gold, and bismuth; allergic reactions; and infections, such as tuberculosis or enteritis. Other possible causes are pregnancy, hereditary nephritis, multiple myeloma, and other neoplastic diseases. These diseases increase glomerular protein permeability, leading to increased urinary excretion of protein, especially albumin, and subsequent hypoalbuminemia.
Nephrotic patients have an increased risk of infection, particularly of peritonitis.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
About 75% of nephrotic syndrome cases result from primary (idiopathic) glomerulonephritis. Classifications include the following:
❑ With minimal change disease (lipid nephrosis or nil disease) — the main cause of nephrotic syndrome in children — the glomeruli appear normal by light microscopy. Some tubules may contain increased lipid deposits.
❑ Membraneous glomerulonephritis — the most common lesion in patients with adult idiopathic nephrotic syndrome — is characterized by uniform thickening of the glomerular basement membrane containing dense deposits. It can eventually progress to renal failure.
❑ Focal glomerulosclerosis can develop spontaneously at any age, follow kidney transplantation, or result from heroin abuse. Lesions initially affect the deeper glomeruli, causing hyaline sclerosis, with later involvement of the superficial glomeruli. These lesions generally cause slowly progressive deterioration in renal function. Remissions occur occasionally.
❑ With membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, slowly progressive lesions develop in the subendothelial region of the basement membrane. These lesions may follow infection, particularly streptococcal infection. This disease occurs primarily in children and young adults.
Other causes of nephrotic syndrome include metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus; collagen-vascular disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and polyarteritis nodosa; circulatory diseases, such as heart failure and sickle cell anemia; nephrotoxins, such as mercury, gold, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories; allergic reactions; infections, such as tuberculosis or hepatitis B; preeclampsia toxemia; hereditary nephritis; multiple myeloma; and other neoplastic diseases. These diseases increase glomerular protein permeability, leading to the increased urinary excretion of protein, especially albumin, and subsequent hypoalbuminemia.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Immunologic abnormalities:
Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008
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