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Glomerular filtration disorders (glo·mer·u·lar - fil·tra·tion - dis·or·ders) are diseases affecting the glomeruli—millions of tiny vessels in the kidneys that filter blood. If they become damaged, the kidneys don’t work as they should and the make-up of your child’s blood and fluids becomes imbalanced.
214-456-2980
Fax: 214-456-8042
469-497-2501
Fax: 469-497-2507
Individually, each of these filters is called a glomerulus, and each is attached to a tube called a tubule that collects fluid. Together, the filter and the tube unit are called a nephron. In healthy kidneys, the glomeruli filter blood, and the waste and excess water move into the tubules and become urine. When the glomeruli become damaged, they’re unable to properly filter the waste and extra fluid.
When the glomeruli don’t work properly, blood proteins such as albumin seep into the urine, causing too much protein to settle in the urine, and too little in the blood. Protein in the blood can draw excess fluid from the body into the blood, where it is then filtered by the kidneys. When albumin leaks into the urine, there’s not enough left in the blood to help filter the extra fluids from the body. Those fluids then build up, causing swelling in the face, feet, ankles or hands. Damage to the glomeruli also affects the blood’s ability to filter waste, so waste accumulates in the blood.
Your child may show no symptoms of some glomerular diseases or may show symptoms related to the type of substances the kidneys are failing to filter out. For example, if your child has a condition called hematuria, your child’s urine may have blood in it and appear as pink or rust colored.
Often, a condition called edema, or swelling from the body’s retention of fluids, is a symptom of glomerular disease. Your child also might have foamy, pink or cola-colored urine.
Symptoms of glomerulonephritis may include:
Many diseases can affect how well your child’s kidneys function, and it’s possible that the glomeruli, the tiny vessels in kidneys that filter the body’s blood, can stop working correctly.
When the glomeruli stop filtering as they should, your child may have no symptoms at first. Eventually, though, the disorder in the glomeruli begins causing problems in the kidneys and around the body.
Your child’s doctor may detect signs of glomerulonephritis and other glomerular diseases as part of your child’s routine checkup. But if you notice symptoms in your child, your child’s doctor will take a complete medical history and perform a thorough examination. An accurate and timely diagnosis of glomerular filtration disease is important.
Your doctor will order one or more tests to diagnose a glomerular filtration disorder, such as:
A frequent cause of glomerulonephritis in children is streptococcal infection, for example, an upper respiratory infection or strep throat. In these cases, glomerulonephritis typically occurs at least a week after your child’s infection.
This acute, or sudden, type of glomerulonephritis is most common in children between 3 and 7 years old, but it can occur at any age. It affects boys more often than girls.
The scarring that causes glomerulosclerosis can come from use of medications or be caused by kidney diseases. Glomerulonephritis can cause the scarring that leads to glomerulosclerosis.
Other diseases that may cause glomerulonephritis include:
Glomerular filtration disorders affect the glomeruli, the millions of tiny vessels in the kidneys that filter blood. If they become damaged, the kidneys don’t work as they should.
It’s important to seek treatment for your child’s glomerulonephritis, inflammation of the glomeruli, or other glomerular disorder right away to prevent more damage to the kidneys or other complications from the disease.
Usually, a pediatric kidney disease specialist, or nephrologist, treats these disorders. These treatments can help control problems with glomerular filtration. Sometimes, though, the disorders lead to kidney failure and even dialysis fails to stop the kidneys’ decline.
Glomerular filtration disorders, called glomerulonephritis, are a group of diseases involving the glomeruli—millions of tiny vessels in the kidney that filter blood. When the glomeruli are damaged, they can’t adequately function, and blood proteins such as albumin seep into the urine, causing excess levels of protein in the urine and decreased levels in the blood.
In some cases, the cause of glomerulonephritis is unknown. In other cases, the disease may be caused by infections such as strep throat, or systemic diseases such as lupus.
Glomerulonephritis may occur suddenly, which is described as acute, or symptoms may develop more gradually, which is called chronic.
While glomerulonephritis can progress and result in complications and chronic kidney failure, more often it is treatable and reversible. In some cases it even resolves without treatment.
Among the symptoms you may notice or about which your child may complain include edema (swelling) in the hands, feet, ankles, or around the eyes; foamy urine; blood in the urine; decreased output of urine; paleness; fatigue or lethargy; sore throat; difficulty breathing; headache; joint pain or muscle aches; and seizures (caused by high blood pressure).
Among the tests your child’s doctor may order are blood and urine tests, a chest X-ray, an electrocardiogram, an ultrasound of the kidneys, and a kidney biopsy.
Treatments are targeted toward any underlying cause and also aim to prevent progression and complications. Among the medications that may be used are diuretics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, blood pressure drugs, and phosphate binders. Dietary measures may also be a part of treatment, including fluid restrictions and a diet low in protein, potassium, and salt. If the kidneys are unable to function, dialysis may be necessary.
In most cases, there’s nothing you can do to prevent your child from developing glomerulonephritis.