Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type 1: comparison of natural history in children and adults

Clinical, laboratory and pathological data on 46 patients (29 children and 17 adult) with Type 1 membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) were reviewed in order to compare the natural history of the disease in two age groups. The nephrotic syndrome was the most common presenting clinical feature in both age groups. Established renal failure at time of biopsy was seen in adult males only. All the adults males, but none of the women, were either dead or in renal failure after a mean duration of diseases of 17.7 months. In contrast 43% of the children (both sexes) were in renal failure after a mean duration of disease of 51.6 months. Statistical analysis disclosed that only up to 48 months was there a significant difference in survival between the two age groups (P less than .01). Beyond this time the difference was not statistically significant. The difference in behaviour of MPGN in the two age groups is similar to that observed in other glomerulonephropathies.