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Pediatric Berger's disease (IgA nephropathy)

Berger's disease, or IgA nephropathy (ne·​phrop·​a·​thy), is a rare renal disease that causes swelling in the kidneys and can lead to kidney failure or end state renal (kidney) disease (ESRD).

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What is pediatric Berger's disease (IgA nephropathy)?

Berger's disease, also called IgA nephropathy, is a condition that causes swelling in the kidneys. Berger's disease is one type of a group of conditions that affect the glomeruli, which are tiny filters in the kidneys.

The glomeruli help the kidneys remove extra water and waste from the body, while keeping the good proteins and other important nutrients. When a child's body makes too much IgA (immunoglobulin A) protein, it can damage the glomeruli. This leads to your child having protein and blood in their urine, and other complications such as high blood pressure and kidney failure or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). 

Berger's disease was first described by French doctors Jean Berger and Nicole Hinglais in 1968.

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric Berger's disease (IgA nephropathy)?

  • Edema (swelling of the ankles, legs and face)
  • Hematuria
  • Infrequent urination
  • Proteinuria (protein in the urine)
  • Red or dark brown colored urine (due to blood)

What are the causes of pediatric Berger's disease (IgA nephropathy)?

Berger's disease happens when the protein immunoglobulin A (IgA) gets trapped in the glomeruli of the kidneys. IgA is an immunoglobulin that normally helps protect your child's body from disease and infection.

Pediatric Berger's disease (IgA nephropathy) doctors and providers