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What is it?
Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the microscopic filtering units of the kidney called the glomeruli. Although both kidneys are usually affected, not all glomeruli are affected at the same time.
The inflammation damages the glomeruli so they can't sift waste products, salt and water effectively from the bloodstream. These harmful substances then build up in the body, causing complications.
Glomerulonephritis may be temporary and reversible, or it may progress to chronic renal (kidney) failure.
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Causes
The precise cause of most cases of glomerulonephritis is unknown. In children, a common cause used to bacterial infection with group A haemolytic streptococcus, typically a throat, upper respiratory tract or skin infection. This condition, often referred to as acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN), is much less common now because of the widespread use of antibiotics.
Other causes include immune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, an inflammatory disease of the arteries called polyarteritis nodosa, Henoch-Schonlein purpura and rare inherited genetic causes. Tropical diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis can cause it, too.
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Who's affected?
Anyone can develop glomerulonephritis, but those people exposed to the factors listed above are most at risk. APSGN particularly affects children between the ages of six and ten, and develops one to two weeks after a throat infection or three to four weeks after a skin infection.
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Symptoms
In mild cases, there may be no symptoms; the disease is only discovered by a routine urine test or when chronic kidney failure develops.
When present, symptoms may include:
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Diagnosis and treatment
Glomerulonephritis must be diagnosed by a doctor, following urine and blood tests, throat swabs (to look for a bacterial infection), an ultrasound scan of the kidneys or a biopsy (where a small sample of tissue is taken from the kidney through a needle).
Treatment depends on various factors including the cause, the severity of kidney failure, the child's age and general health. In most cases, there's no cure; treatment aims to slow the disease, prevent complications and help the kidneys to do their job.
Possible treatments include fluid restriction, a diet low in protein, salt and potassium, diuretics (tablets that increase urine production), blood pressure medicines, antibiotics, steroids and drugs that suppress the immune system. In severe cases, kidney dialysis may be needed.
Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the microscopic filtering units of the kidney called the glomeruli. Although both kidneys are usually affected, not all glomeruli are affected at the same time.
The inflammation damages the glomeruli so they can't sift waste products, salt and water effectively from the bloodstream. These harmful substances then build up in the body, causing complications.
Glomerulonephritis may be temporary and reversible, or it may progress to chronic renal (kidney) failure.
Top
Causes
The precise cause of most cases of glomerulonephritis is unknown. In children, a common cause used to bacterial infection with group A haemolytic streptococcus, typically a throat, upper respiratory tract or skin infection. This condition, often referred to as acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN), is much less common now because of the widespread use of antibiotics.
Other causes include immune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, an inflammatory disease of the arteries called polyarteritis nodosa, Henoch-Schonlein purpura and rare inherited genetic causes. Tropical diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis can cause it, too.
Top
Who's affected?
Anyone can develop glomerulonephritis, but those people exposed to the factors listed above are most at risk. APSGN particularly affects children between the ages of six and ten, and develops one to two weeks after a throat infection or three to four weeks after a skin infection.
Top
Symptoms
In mild cases, there may be no symptoms; the disease is only discovered by a routine urine test or when chronic kidney failure develops.
When present, symptoms may include:
- blood-stained, brown, smoky or foamy urine
- reduced amounts of urine (although sometimes it is increased)
- tiredness
- lethargy
- nausea
- vomiting
- hiccups
- itching
- sore throat
- headaches
- problems with breathing
- rash
- weight loss
- joint pains
- pale skin
- fluid accumulation in the tissues
- high blood pressure
- seizures
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Diagnosis and treatment
Glomerulonephritis must be diagnosed by a doctor, following urine and blood tests, throat swabs (to look for a bacterial infection), an ultrasound scan of the kidneys or a biopsy (where a small sample of tissue is taken from the kidney through a needle).
Treatment depends on various factors including the cause, the severity of kidney failure, the child's age and general health. In most cases, there's no cure; treatment aims to slow the disease, prevent complications and help the kidneys to do their job.
Possible treatments include fluid restriction, a diet low in protein, salt and potassium, diuretics (tablets that increase urine production), blood pressure medicines, antibiotics, steroids and drugs that suppress the immune system. In severe cases, kidney dialysis may be needed.