Urologie pro praxi 3/2017

Diagnosis and treatment of nephrotic syndrome in children

Nephrotic syndrome is caused by increased permeability of glomerular filtration barrier, which results in heavy proteinuria, hypoproteinemia and edemas. The most common form in children is idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, which is further classified according to therapeutic response to corticosteroids. Other immunosupressants (levamisol, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporin A, mycophenolate mofetil) and monoclonal antibodies (rituximab, ofatumumab) are used as steroid sparing agents in the management of complicated cases. Advances in molecular genetics and understanding of podocyte pathophysiology changed the approach and management of hereditary nephrotic syndrome.

Keywords: nephrotic syndrome, diagnosis, management