Abstract

BENZAQUEN DE DE GIOVANNI, Estrella  and  MELETTI MADILE, Beatriz. Síndrome nefrótico por glomerulonefritis membranosa en la infancia. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2004, vol.102, n.4, pp.296-300. ISSN 0325-0075.

Nephrotic syndrome is associated with a spectrum of primary and secondary glomerular diseases; being the less frequent in children membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN). MGN is a immune complexmediated disease in which unbound antibodies react "in situ" against antigens usually present. Most cases occur in a primary or idiopathic form, but they also can be secondary to other conditions. MGN evolves slowly to chronicity with relapses, even though complete clinical remission can be achieved. We report two children presenting with nephrotic syndrome, caused by MGN, their renal biopsies findings, outcomes and responses to treatment. One of the patients had previously been treated for repeated episodes of urinary infection. She had also been exposed to nephrotoxic substances. Both patients developed classical features of nephrotic syndrome with micro-hematuria. Renal function was normal and no hypertension was detected. They were treated with steroids and they responded to medication with remission of the nephrotic syndrome. However, both had several relapses. MGN was considered idiopathic. The short course of the disease, the age of the patients, the absence of hypertension, the normal renal function, the response to treatment, the outcome and the pathologic features suggest good prognosis. Nevertheless, both children are being carefully controlled. Relationship between MGN and exposure to nephrotoxic substances and to repeated urinary tract infection could not be elucidated.

Keywords : Nephrotic syndrome in childhood; Membranous glomerulopathy.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )