[Anomalies of coagulation and thromboembolic complications of nephrotic syndromes]

Thrombo-embolic events remain one of the most serious complications in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS). A causal relationship between coagulation abnormalities and the occurrence of thrombosis in NS has been searched. Several studies have demonstrated multiples abnormalities in the coagulation factors and platelets; however those studies did not provide adequate explanations for the thrombotic tendency of NS. This thrombotic tendency could be related to deficiency in natural coagulation inhibitors. Plasma ATIII level has been reported to be decreased both in some adults and children. Protein C is found normal or high in NS whereas protein S is increased. Nevertheless a possible decrease in functional protein S cannot be excluded.