Nephrology Update: Glomerular Disease in Children

Although kidney disease is much less common in children than in adults, clinicians must remain alert for the renal conditions that occur in this population because prompt diagnosis and management are essential. Acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis occurs as an uncommon sequela of streptococcal and other infections. Management is focused on providing supportive measures, including management of fluid-electrolyte imbalance and hypertension, until the patient recovers. Immunoglobulin (Ig) A nephropathy is a primary glomerulonephritis related to abnormal IgA glycosylation. The most common renal issue in children involves recurrent episodes of painless macroscopic hematuria during times of acute infection. Renal involvement occurs in the majority of children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP), with most experiencing asymptomatic hematuria and low level proteinuria. More severe forms of HSP nephritis, including rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, may progress to end-stage kidney disease. Nephrotic syndrome commonly is related to steroid-responsive minimal change disease, and follows a course of relapses and remissions over time. However, a minority of children have steroid-resistant disease with potential for poor renal outcome.