Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children: Clinical aspects

Abstract

The most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children is idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), also called nephrosis [1]. INS is defined by the combination of a nephrotic syndrome (massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema) and nonspecific histological abnormalities of the glomeruli including minimal changes, focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS), and diffuse mesangial proliferation. On electron microscopy, glomeruli show an effacement of epithelial cell (podocyte) foot processes and no significant deposits of immunoglobulins or complement by immunofluorescence. In a majority of children, only minimal changes are seen on light microscopy. These children are referred to as having “minimal change disease.”