Glomerulonephritis in children is the proliferation of cells that form glomeruli and infiltration of inflammatory cells, which leads to narrowing of the capillaries through which blood flows through the kidneys. As a result, the rate of elimination (emptying) of harmful substances and water from the blood into the urine decreases. Also, the inflammation damages the membrane that separates the capillary cavity and the cavity into which the fluids are drained, which leads to the excretion of a large amount of blood compounds through the urine, such as proteins and red blood cells. This inflammation damages both kidneys.

Laboratory tests show an increase in the level of creatinine and uremia, that is, harmful substances that are not excreted properly through urine. In some cases, there is a disturbance in the levels of salts in the blood, such as high levels of potassium and phosphorous, low levels of calcium, and high acidosis. Anemia (low hemoglobin - anemia) is caused by fluid retention in the body and decreased production of the hormone erythropoietin, which leads to an increase in blood volume. This hormone (erythropoietin) is produced by the kidneys, which supports the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow, and kidney inflammation leads to a decrease in the production of this hormone. In the urine test, it is possible that we will find red blood cells in addition to protein.

The etiology of glomerulonephritis in children is varied, and it may be the primary infection or part (side) of a systemic disease. The most common form of the disease in children is after infection or infection with the streptococcus germ (Streptococcus) in the throat or skin. Also, this inflammation may appear after infections caused by other pathogens, viral and bacterial. The kidneys are not directly damaged by the contaminating agent, and because of this, antibiotics do not help in these cases. What causes inflammation is the impairment of the immune system, so that the inflammatory cells and the substances that are secreted from them, are the ones that damage the glomeruli.

Glomerulonephritis can occur, following an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system malfunctions, causing damage to various organs of the body, including the kidneys.

Examples of this type of disease: systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, such as Wegener''s disease, Henoch schonlein purpura, polyangitiis, and Goodpasture''s syndrome Syndrome).

Glomerulonephritis has rare genetic forms as well, such as Alport''s disease. Sometimes the pathogen cannot be found.

Symptoms of glomerulonephritis in children

The disease may appear by one or more of the following phenomena: edema, decreased urine output, high blood pressure (as a result of storing excess water and salt) and bloody urine. There may be general symptoms such as nausea, weakness and headache.

questions and answers

Is there a cure for ADHD?

If there is any doubt about the existence of ADHD, which side should be taken?

How does ADHD syndrome affect relationships with people of the same generation?

What are the consequences that accompany ADHD?

What are the types of developmental disorders other than autism?

Complications of glomerulonephritis in children

If there is severe damage to the filtering of the glomeruli of the kidneys, complications may occur due to the accumulation of toxic wastes, the so-called blood poisoning (uremia), and these toxic substances may harm the various organs of the body, such as the membrane of the heart, lungs, nervous system and blood clotting mechanism. The speed at which symptoms appear depends on the course of the disease, whether it is acute or chronic.

Diagnosis of glomerulonephritis in children

Glomerulonephritis in children is diagnosed based on the patient''s complaint, the presence of symptoms during the physical examination, the results of laboratory tests, the results of imaging tests and the biopsy examination of the kidneys. The nephrostomy is usually done by ing a needle into the kidneys, taking a piece of tissue and sending it for examination in a disease laboratory. Accurate identification of the disease form helps in detecting the pathogen, predicting the course of the disease, and the suitability of treatment.

Treatment of glomerulonephritis in children

Treatment for glomerulonephritis in children consists of two main components

1- Treating the pathogen, if it can be detected.

2- The second compound is supportive treatment. If the inflammation is caused by an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks the kidneys, treatment with drugs that suppress the immune system, such as steroids (Steroids) and cyclophosphamide (Cyclophosphamide) should be treated.

Inflammation develops, in some cases, very quickly and becomes acute and dangerous, and this situation is called rapid glomerulonephritis, and here the treatment is more severe, which includes high doses of immunosuppressive drugs, and other treatment methods.

As for supportive treatment, it aims at maintaining water balance (monitoring the amount of water that was drunk and matching it with the amount of urine), treating hypertension, and maintaining the level of normal salts in the blood, by adapting food and medicines. And when it is not possible to maintain the production of urine that helps to excrete harmful substances and excess water, or when the body’s organs are damaged by toxic substances, dialysis must be done. Treatment with dialysis is sometimes temporary, until the kidneys improve.

The course of the disease and the prognosis for the course of the disease depend on the causative agent, the treatment and the duration of the disease prior to treatment. If the infection is after infection with streptococcus bacteria, then treatment is supportive, only with the course of the acute stage, and most patients recover permanently without the presence of any harm. If there is a treatment for the cause of the disease, it must be given as soon as possible, to avoid the occurrence of irreversible damage, and it also leads to an improvement in the performance of the kidneys. Drug treatment is ineffective in some patients, resulting in persistent inflammation and worsening kidney damage. Even if there is no special treatment for a type of glomerulonephritis, it is important to follow the patient and resort to supportive treatment, which prevents the emergence of complications of inflammation and which helps preserve the kidneys'' performance for a longer period of time.

The follow-up of the patient with glomerulonephritis includes physical examinations in order to check the symptoms of the disease, such as high blood pressure, edema, urine and blood tests, and special examinations according to the type of disease.