Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in Children: Clinical Aspects

Abstract

In children, the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome is idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), also called nephrosis (1). INS is defined by the combination of a nephrotic syndrome (proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema) and non-specific histological abnormalities of the kidney including minimal changes, focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS), and diffuse mesangial proliferation. Glomeruli show a fusion of epithelial cell foot processes on electron microscopy and no significant deposits of immunoglobulins or complement on immunofluorescence.