Glomerulonephritis in children

Glomerulonephritis means inflammation of the glomerulus of the kidneys, which leads to the loss of their normal functional activity. As a result, fluid retention occurs, which leads to a significant increase in blood pressure, the appearance of edema. In the urine, the concentration of protein increases and blood appears.

Glomerulonephritis in children occurs after the previous infectious diseases: angina, scarlet fever, laryngitis, pharyngitis. The causative agent of this disease is streptococcus, in very rare cases, its appearance is associated with viruses. Infectious agent when ingested into the human body begins to produce toxins that enter the tissue of the kidneys with blood and cause glomerular damage through the soldering of their walls. Thus, outflow of urine becomes difficult, characteristic clinical symptomatology arises.

Glomerulonephritis in children occurs in the following forms: acute, subacute, chronic. The latter species has a slow development and flow, which in most cases is asymptomatic. However, in childhood, the chronic form is found in fairly rare cases. There are other classifications based on the degree and form of the glomerular lesion. Gematuristic, nephrotic, mixed type of lesions of kidney structures are distinguished.

Glomerulonephritis in children is characterized by multiple clinical symptoms. Most often, the disease begins with the appearance of characteristic pain in the lumbar region, which is acute. In the future, vomiting, a change in the color of urine (it becomes rusty) and its amount (significantly decreases), an increase in blood pressure, and temperature may be added. Characteristic signs, indicating the progression of the pathological condition, are swelling, which are most often localized on the face, eyelids. In especially severe cases, serious complications are associated with dangerous complications: nephrotic encephalopathy, uremia, heart failure.

Glomerulonephritis and pregnancy - the concepts are almost incompatible, because always in such cases, there is an extremely severe course of the disease, which often leads to a fatal outcome. Therefore, instrumental and laboratory diagnostics are of paramount importance in this period.

To diagnose this disease, laboratory (serological blood test and general urine analysis), instrumental (ultrasound, kidney biopsy) methods are used.

The most common form of the disease is acute glomerulonephritis. Treatment of this pathological condition begins with the appointment of antibacterial agents. These drugs are supplemented with glucocorticoids. Especially important is the appointment of a diet, which consists of products that contain low amounts of fat, table salt. During treatment, a continuous control of diuresis, in especially severe cases, diuretics are prescribed.

In the autoimmune form of the disease, cytostatic agents are prescribed. In almost all cases, hormonal drugs are indicated, in particular prednisolone. The use of such medicines requires monthly interruptions with a gradual decrease in their dosage. In opposite cases, the atrophy of the adrenal cortex develops.

Glomerulonephritis in children is a disease that, with incorrect and untimely treatment, leads to the attachment of dangerous complications. However, with proper care and adequate therapy, there is a gradual decrease in the symptoms of the disease and the restoration of the glomeruli of the kidneys.