📋 Paediatrics
Nephrotic Syndrome and Nephritic Syndrome in Children Complete Paediatric Guide
Comprehensive guide to nephrotic syndrome and nephritic syndrome in children covering causes pathophysiology symptoms diagnosis investigations complications and stepwise paediatric management.
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Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is nephrotic syndrome in children?
Nephrotic syndrome in children is a kidney disorder characterized by heavy protein loss in urine, low blood albumin levels, generalized body swelling, and high cholesterol. It occurs due to damage to the glomerular filtration barrier, most commonly from minimal change disease in paediatric patients.
❓ What are the main symptoms of nephrotic syndrome in children?
The main symptoms include periorbital swelling especially in the morning, generalized body edema, frothy urine due to proteinuria, decreased urine output, weight gain from fluid retention, and sometimes abdominal swelling from ascites.
❓ What is nephritic syndrome in children?
Nephritic syndrome is a kidney condition caused by inflammation of the glomeruli leading to hematuria, hypertension, reduced urine output, mild proteinuria, and edema. It commonly occurs after infections such as post streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
❓ What is the difference between nephrotic and nephritic syndrome?
Nephrotic syndrome primarily involves massive proteinuria and severe edema due to damage to the filtration barrier, while nephritic syndrome involves glomerular inflammation leading to hematuria, hypertension, and reduced kidney function.
❓ What is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children?
Minimal change disease is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children, accounting for approximately 80 to 90 percent of paediatric cases.
❓ What causes nephritic syndrome in children?
Common causes include post streptococcal glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy, Henoch Schönlein purpura, lupus nephritis, and other immune mediated glomerular diseases.
❓ How is nephrotic syndrome diagnosed in children?
Diagnosis is based on urine tests showing heavy proteinuria, blood tests showing hypoalbuminemia and hyperlipidemia, and clinical findings such as generalized edema. In some cases renal biopsy may be required.
❓ How is nephritic syndrome diagnosed in children?
Diagnosis is made using urinalysis showing hematuria with RBC casts, blood tests revealing reduced complement levels and elevated antistreptococcal antibodies, and clinical features such as hypertension and oliguria.
❓ What is the first line treatment for nephrotic syndrome in children?
The first line treatment is corticosteroid therapy, most commonly prednisolone, which helps reduce inflammation and restore normal kidney filtration in minimal change disease.
❓ What complications can occur in children with nephrotic syndrome?
Major complications include infections such as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, thromboembolism including renal vein thrombosis, hypovolemia, acute kidney injury, and severe edema.