Glomerular Disorder | Description | Prognosis |
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Congenital and infantile nephrotic syndrome | These rare disorders are inherited. Congenital nephrotic syndrome (Finnish type) and diffuse mesangial sclerosis are the 2 main causes. They closely resemble focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Symptoms are present at birth in the Finnish type and develop during childhood in diffuse mesangial sclerosis. | These disorders do not respond to corticosteroids. Because the level of albumin in the blood is extremely low, removal of both kidneys is often considered. Supportive therapy, including dialysis Dialysis Dialysis is an artificial process for removing waste products and excess fluids from the body, a process that is needed when the kidneys are not functioning properly. There are a number of reasons... read more , is given until the child is eligible for a kidney transplant Kidney Transplantation Kidney transplantation is the removal of a healthy kidney from a living or recently deceased person and then its transfer into a person with end-stage kidney failure. (See also Overview of Transplantation... read more . |
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis | This disease damages glomeruli. It affects mainly adolescents but also young and middle-aged adults. It is more common in Black people. | The prognosis is poor because treatment is not very effective. In most adults and children, the disease progresses to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) 5 to 20 years after diagnosis. |
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis | This uncommon type of glomerulonephritis occurs primarily between the ages of 8 and 30. It is caused by deposits of immune complexes (combinations of antigens and antibodies) attaching to the kidneys, sometimes for unknown reasons. Antibodies are proteins made by the body to attack specific molecules called antigens. | If caused by a disorder that can be treated (for example, systemic lupus erythematosus Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory connective tissue disorder that can involve joints, kidneys, skin, mucous membranes, and blood vessel walls. Problems in the... read more or hepatitis B or C infection Overview of Hepatitis Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. (See also Overview of Acute Viral Hepatitis and Overview of Chronic Hepatitis.) Hepatitis is common throughout the world. Hepatitis can be Acute (short-lived) read more ), a partial remission may occur. The outcome is not as good in people in whom the cause remains unknown. About half of untreated people progress to ESKD Overview of Kidney Failure Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to adequately filter metabolic waste products from the blood. Kidney failure has many possible causes. Some lead to a rapid decline in kidney function... read more within 10 years and 90% within 20 years. |
Membranous nephropathy | This serious type of glomerular disease affects mainly adults. It is more common in White people. | In about 25% of people, protein stops being excreted in the urine. About 25% develop ESKD. The rest continue to have protein in the urine, as either the nephrotic syndrome or the asymptomatic proteinuria and hematuria syndrome. |
Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis | This disorder accounts for about 3 to 5% of people with nephrotic syndrome of unknown cause. It affects people of all ages. | About 50% of people initially respond to corticosteroids. About 10 to 30% develop progressive kidney failure. Relapses may respond to cyclophosphamide. |
Minimal change disease | This mild disease of the glomerulus is more common in children but also affects adults. | The prognosis is good. About 90% of children and nearly as many adults respond to treatment. In 30 to 50% of adults, disease relapses. After treatment for 1 or 2 years, more than 80% of people have permanent remission. |