Evaluating nephrotic syndrome in children using biomarkers

What is it about?

In children, nephrotic syndrome is a common manifestation of a kidney disease in which abnormal leakage of large quantities of protein in the urine results in generalized body swelling. When a little kidney tissue is taken from the body by needling and the specimen examined under the microscope, it gives two major picture patterns of the syndrome in children which can either respond well to steroid treatment or poorly respond to it. Alternatively, levels of certain substances produced in the body (biomarkers) can be measured in the blood and urine for the investigation of this syndrome in children. The paper reviewed the progress made so far in the utility of these substances, as reported in the medical literature. It is interesting to note that some of these substances can be used to diagnose the syndrome; others can be used to predict the outcome of the illness, while others can be used to differentiate those cases that will respond to steroid treatment from those cases that will not or poorly do so.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This paper draws attention to new, less invasive methods of evaluating nephrotic syndrome in children in terms of diagnosis and predicting outcome as well as differentiating those that will respond well to steroid and those that will poorly respond to it

Perspectives