Evaluation of infants and children with nephrotic syndrome

BUN: blood urea nitrogen; GN: glomerulonephritis; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; MCD: minimal change disease; NS: nephrotic syndrome; SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus.

* Potential complications include: hypertension, hematuria, hypovolemia, or rare complications such as bacterial or viral infection, thromboembolism, or pancreatitis.

¶ These include dysmorphic features, ambiguous genitalia, eye abnormalities, and developmental delays.

Δ Extra-renal symptoms suggestive of a secondary cause of NS include: malar rash, adenopathy, purpura, recent group A streptococcal infection of the skin or throat.

◊ Other causes include: SLE, chronic hepatitis B or C, HIV, postinfectious GN, vasculitis, or genetic causes.

§ This could include testing for SLE, vasculitides, or infectious agents. Refer to other UpToDate content for details.

¥ We use shared decision-making with parents to individualize the choice among these options. However, some other experts proceed to genetic testing for all children in this age group given that it is widely available and easy to perform.