Post-streptococcal Glomerulonephritis Presenting With Acute Pulmonary Edema and Critical Hyperkalemia: A Rare...

Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) is a common cause of acute nephritic syndrome in children. Rarely, it may result in life-threatening complications, including acute pulmonary edema and critical hyperkalemia.

We report a 10-year-old Yemeni girl (25 kg) presenting with severe respiratory distress, irritability, and generalized pitting edema. Laboratory tests confirmed PSGN with markedly reduced complement C3 (42.2 mg/dL) and nephritic urine sediment containing numerous red blood cells and casts. The patient developed critical hyperkalemia (7.0 mmol/L) and acute pulmonary edema, requiring urgent intubation and mechanical ventilation using pressure-controlled mandatory ventilation (P-CMV).

Aggressive fluid mobilization and electrolyte stabilization were initiated. High-dose intravenous furosemide (4 mg/kg/day) and low-dose dopamine (per local institutional protocols) were applied. Despite critical hyperkalemia, standard protocols (calcium, insulin-glucose) were unavailable; thus, potassium-lowering relied on continuous salbutamol and rapid diuresis. Appropriate adjunctive sedation was utilized briefly to facilitate mechanical ventilation. The patient produced 1700 mL urine in 17 hours, demonstrating a strong diuretic response. Continuous cardiac monitoring was maintained throughout the acute phase to mitigate arrhythmic complications.

Early recognition of severe extra-renal complications in PSGN is critical. Intensive supportive care-including mechanical ventilation, meticulous fluid and electrolyte management, and appropriate sedation-is essential for survival in cases of acute pulmonary edema and critical hyperkalemia.