Nephrotic syndrome

Alternative names:

Ellis type II; nephrosis

Symptoms:

• swelling (edema)
  • general
  • around the eyes
  • in the extremities, especially the feet and ankles

• abdomen, swollen
• facial swelling
• foamy appearance of the urine
• weight gain (unintentional) from fluid retention
• poor appetite
• blood pressure, high

Signs and tests:

A physical examination confirms the symptoms. Symptoms and signs of causative disorders may be present.

A urinalysis reveals large amounts of urine protein. Fats are often also present in the urine.

Tests to rule out causes may include:

• glucose tolerance test
• antinuclear antibody
• rheumatoid factor
• cryoglobulins
• complement levels
• hepatitis B surface antigen
• VDRL serology
• serum protein electrophoresis
• a kidney biopsy

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• urinary casts
• triglyceride
• RT3U
• protein electrophoresis - urine
• serum iron
• cholesterol test
• aldosterone
• albumin