Nephrotic syndrome is not a specific kidney disease but a disorder that results into various symptoms. It can result from any disorder or disease that affects kidney glomeruli; the small blood vessels found at the end of the kidneys tubules that filter waste products from the blood.

 

When the glomeruli capillary membrane is damaged it allows excessive protein to leave the body, leading to decreased protein (albumin) inside the blood. Albumin plays an important role in maintaining fluid balance inside the body. Nephrotic syndrome is more common in children but it also occurs in adult.

• Edema - a major symptoms of Nephrotic Syndrome. The edema may occurs around the eyes (peri-orbital edema), sacrum, ankles, hands and on the abdomen (ascites).
• Irritability
• Headache and malaise
• Foamy urine due to excessive protein.
• Weight gain due to excessive fluid inside the body.

• Obstruction of the renal vein by a clot (thromboembolism) - Excessive loss of protein can lead to loss of important proteins that help in clotting.
• Pulmonary embolism - a clot may move from the vein and travel through the blood to the lungs.
• Acute renal failure due to decreased blood flowing into the kidneys.
• Worsening of atherosclerosis - due to increased release of cholesterol in the blood by the liver.
• Weight loss and malnutrition due to excessive loss of protein. It may be masked by ascites (body swellings).
• Increased risk of infection - People with Nephrotic syndrome are more prone to getting infections than healthy people.

• Urinalysis - Protein (albumin) of more than 3.5g/day is the hallmark of diagnosing Nephrotic Syndrome. Other urine findings include; increased white blood cells, increased epithelial casts and granular.
• Needle biopsy - a sample tissue of the kidney is removed by use of a small needle for further analysis.
• Protein electrophoresis and immuno-electrophoresis - tests to categorize the type of protein found on the urine.
• Blood tests may also be performed to measure the amount of albumin in the blood.

• Diuretics - usually given to individuals with severe edema.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, together with a loop diuretics to reduce blood pressure and amount of protein released in the urine. This kind of treatment is not given for severe cases of edema, since it usually takes between 4 to 6 weeks to be effective.
• Antineoplastic agents - drugs that are used to inhibit and prevent the development of cancer.
• Corticosteroids - usually used for kidney inflammation diseases, such as membranous nephropathy or other diseases that are hard to treat or to treat relapses.
• Other management involves diet modification, such as low sodium diet with liberal potassium for individuals with normal potassium.