Glomerular Disease
Glomerular Disease is a type of kidney disease that involves inflammation of tiny filter units in the kidneys called glomeruli.
What Is A Glomerular Disease?
A glomerular disease refers to a kidney disorder affecting the tiny filters units within the kidney called glomeruli. Damage to these filters may lead to the leak of blood and proteins into the urine, swelling, high blood pressure and impaired kidney function.
What Are the Symptoms of Glomerular Disease?
The following are the most common symptoms of a glomerular disease. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- Fluid accumulation in the tissues (edema)
- Fatigue
- Rapid weight gain
- Diminished urine output
- Dark brown-colored urine (from blood and protein)
- Increased breathing effort
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Seizures (may occur as a result of high blood pressure)
- Rash, especially over the buttocks and legs
- Weight loss
- Joint pain
- Pale skin color
- Fever
The symptoms of glomerular disease may resemble other conditions and medical problems. Always consult your child's doctor for a diagnosis.
How Are Pediatric Glomerular Diseases Diagnosed?
In addition to a thorough physical examination and complete medical history, your child’s doctor may recommend the following diagnostic tests:
- Urine tests
- Blood tests
- Renal ultrasound
- Chest X-ray
- Renal biopsy
- Genetic testing
What Is the Treatment for Glomerular Diseases?
Treatment for glomerular diseases may include immunosuppressive therapy, medications to reduce proteinuria, antihypertensive therapy and specific dietary modifications. Specific treatment will be determined by a team of experts based on the underlying diagnosis and accounting for factors such as age, overall health, medical history, laboratory tests and/or imaging.
What Types of Glomerular Diseases Do We Treat?
- Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome
- Minimal change disease/focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
- Ig A nephropathy/Ig A vasculitis and Henoch Schönlein purpura nephritis
- C3 glomerulopathy (membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis)
- Alport syndrome
- Congenital nephrotic syndrome
- Membranous nephropathy
- Post-infectious glomerulonephritis
