Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Use of Ultra-high Field MRI in Small Rodent Models of Polycystic Kidney Disease for In Vivo Phenotyping and Drug Monitoring
07:35

Use of Ultra-high Field MRI in Small Rodent Models of Polycystic Kidney Disease for In Vivo Phenotyping and Drug Monitoring

Published on: June 23, 2015

Proteinuria in children

Alexander K C Leung1, Alex H C Wong

  • 1University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. aleung@ucalgary.ca

American Family Physician
|September 17, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Proteinuria in children can be benign or indicate serious kidney disease. A first-morning urine protein/creatinine ratio test is a practical alternative to 24-hour urine collection for diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Proteinuria is a common finding in pediatric patients.
  • It can range from benign conditions to indicators of significant renal or systemic diseases.
  • Causes include glomerular or tubular dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the diagnostic utility of the urine protein/creatinine ratio in pediatric proteinuria.
  • To differentiate between benign and serious causes of proteinuria in children.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical features, history, physical examination, and laboratory tests.
  • Evaluation of the protein/creatinine ratio as a diagnostic tool.
  • Consideration of renal biopsy and specialist referral criteria.

Main Results:

  • Transient or orthostatic proteinuria are typically benign.
  • Persistent proteinuria may signify underlying renal pathology.
  • The protein/creatinine ratio offers a practical alternative to 24-hour urine protein excretion in children.

Conclusions:

  • Prompt identification of proteinuria causes is crucial for appropriate management.
  • Clinical assessment guides the need for further investigations like renal biopsy.
  • Management should target the specific underlying etiology of pediatric proteinuria.

More Related Videos

An Immature Murine Model of Reversible Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction06:37

An Immature Murine Model of Reversible Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction

Published on: April 4, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Protein Metabolism01:21

Overview of Protein Metabolism

Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management01:26

Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management

IntroductionNephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder marked by excessive protein loss in the urine, leading to various systemic complications. This condition often results from damage to the glomeruli—the kidney's filtering units—causing proteinuria, low blood protein levels, and fluid retention. Understanding the assessment, diagnosis, and management of nephrotic syndrome is essential for effective treatment and prevention of further kidney damage.AssessmentPatient History: Document any history...
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction01:24

Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction

Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of fluid...
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests01:24

Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests

Renal function tests are crucial for assessing kidney health, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating the kidneys' efficiency in waste elimination, fluid balance, and electrolyte regulation. These tests offer critical insights into kidney function, even though routine measurements may appear normal until there is a significant decline in the glomerular filtration rate or GFR. Typically, signs of kidney impairment only become evident when the GFR falls to about 50% of its normal level.
Inborn Errors of Metabolism01:20

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...