Urolog. pro Praxi, 2010; 11(3): 140-143

Nephrotic syndrome

prof.MUDr.Miroslav Merta, CSc.

Ústav biologie a lékařské genetiky, Klinika nefrologie 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha

Nephrotic syndrome is characterised by marked (nephrotic) proteinuria associated with other clinical and laboratory findings, particularly

including hypoproteinaemia, hyperlipidaemia and presence of peripheral oedemas. The crucial mechanism by which the nephrotic syndrome

develops is proteinuria. Nephrotic proteinuria usually results from glomerular capillary wall damage that occurs in various types

of primary and secondary glomerulonephritides. Nephrotic syndrome is particularly significant in that the oedemas and overhydration

may seriously jeopardize the patient by various mechanisms, also in that the course of an advanced nephrotic syndrome can be associated

with various complications (thromboembolic events, infectious complications, malnutrition and possibly, in the case of a longer

duration of the condition, atherosclerosis) as well as in that a persistent nephrotic syndrome is to a higher degree accompanied by the

development of chronic renal failure. It is relatively easy to establish the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome; however, differential diagnosis

of nephrotic syndrome is difficult and requires histological examination of a specimen of renal tissue obtained by kidney biopsy.

Some cases of nephrotic syndrome can be affected very rapidly and effectively (e. g. certain types of glomerulonephritides by immunosuppressive

therapy); in other cases, treatment is only successful to a limited degree and the nephrotic syndrome may accompany the

underlying kidney disease for a long term or permanently.

Keywords: nephrotic syndrome, proteinuria, hypoproteinaemia, oedemas, glomerulonephritides

Published: June 15, 2010  Show citation