How is nephrotic syndrome diagnosed?

Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
Updated on September 28, 2024
00:00
00:00

Nephrotic syndrome is a general term for a group of clinical symptoms. Its primary diagnostic criteria include a 24-hour urine protein quantification of greater than or equal to 3.5 grams and plasma albumin less than or equal to 30 grams per liter; these two criteria are essential for the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome. Meeting these criteria is sufficient for the diagnosis. There are also two additional supporting diagnostic criteria for nephrotic syndrome, which include possible symptoms of edema and hyperlipidemia. These four elements are the main clinical manifestations and diagnostic criteria of nephrotic syndrome.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
44sec home-news-image

Does nephrotic syndrome easily lead to cerebral infarction?

Nephrotic syndrome is a high-risk factor for cerebral infarction, making patients prone to strokes. This is because patients with nephrotic syndrome excrete large amounts of protein in their urine, which reduces protein concentration in the plasma and disrupts the anticoagulant fibrinolysis system, leading to an increased tendency to form blood clots. These clots are prone to develop in the veins of the lower extremities and the renal veins, and cerebral arteries in the skull are also susceptible to occlusion. Therefore, in such patients, if the plasma albumin level is very low, such as below 20 grams per liter, there is a need for routine use of anticoagulant medications.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
59sec home-news-image

Is nephrotic syndrome nauseating?

Nephrotic syndrome generally does not cause symptoms of nausea. Nephrotic syndrome refers to the damage to the glomerular capillaries of the patient, with the patient's 24-hour urinary protein quantification exceeding 3.5 grams, which indicates a substantial presence of urinary protein. This disease can cause edema in various parts of the body, such as the lower limbs, eyelids, and facial area. However, it generally does not cause digestive symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. If a patient exhibits such symptoms, it is necessary to be cautious as it may indicate the onset of acute renal failure due to nephrotic syndrome, or the presence of acute inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Patients with nephrotic syndrome generally may experience edema in the gastrointestinal tract, which could cause nausea, and it is important to be cautious of the possibility of other underlying causes.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
57sec home-news-image

Is nephrotic syndrome easy to treat in children?

The diagnostic criteria for nephrotic syndrome are a 24-hour urinary protein quantification exceeding 3.5g and plasma albumin levels below 30g/l. This is due to severe damage to the glomerular capillary network, which has many pathological types since there are various components to the glomerular capillaries, and damage to different components is referred to as different pathological types. Among children, the most common pathological types are minimal change disease and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. These two types are relatively easier to treat. Most children are sensitive to steroid medication. However, treatment becomes difficult with other pathological types, such as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, which shows less sensitivity to steroids. (Medication use should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
59sec home-news-image

Is pediatric nephrotic syndrome contagious?

Pediatric nephrotic syndrome is a clinical syndrome characterized by increased glomerular filtration membrane permeability due to various causes, leading to the loss of a large amount of protein from plasma through urine. Its main manifestations are: 1. Massive proteinuria, which is the most basic pathophysiological change in nephrotic syndrome and a necessary condition for diagnosis. 2. Hypoalbuminemia. 3. Hyperlipidemia. 4. Significant generalized edema. Nephrotic syndrome is not contagious, so pediatric nephrotic syndrome is not infectious. Contact with children with nephrotic syndrome will not result in contracting the syndrome, so parents can be assured on this matter.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Qi
Nephrology
38sec home-news-image

Syndrome of kidney disease with manifestations of calcium deficiency

In the state of nephrotic syndrome, if there is a calcium deficiency, it may cause the patient's limbs to twitch, especially sudden twitches and pain in both lower limbs during sleep at night, waking the patient from sleep. If calcium deficiency persists for a long time, it may lead to osteoporosis in the patient, such as osteoporosis of the femoral head, which presents with hip pain, and necrosis of the femoral head, potentially affecting the patient's ability to walk. In children, calcium deficiency may cause night-time convulsions, and external manifestations such as hunchback, pigeon chest, and square skull might appear.