Pediatric glomerulopathy

What is pediatric glomerulopathy?

There are several conditions that can cause kidney problems by damaging the glomeruli (tiny filtering units located inside the kidneys). The glomeruli help the kidneys remove extra water and waste from the body, while keeping the good proteins and other important nutrients. When a child has a condition that affects the glomeruli, it is called glomerulopathy or a glomerular disease.

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric glomerulopathy?

The symptoms of glomerulopathy may include:

• Dark brown or red urine (due to blood in urine)

• Edema (swelling in ankles, legs and face)

• Fatigue (extreme tiredness)

• Headache 

• High blood pressure

• Infrequent urination

• Joint pain

• Pale skin

• Rash on legs and buttocks

• Seizures (due to high blood pressure)

• Sore throat

What are the causes of pediatric glomerulopathy?

Pediatric glomerulopathy may be caused by:

• A systemic immune disease, such as lupus

• Alport syndrome

• Infection such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 

• Polyarteritis nodosa (inflammatory disease of the arteries)

• Streptococcal infection, such as strep throat 

• Wegener vasculitis (progressive inflammation of the organs)