Minimal change disease

Alternative names:

idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of childhood; lipoid nephrosis; minimal change nephrotic syndrome; nil disease

Symptoms:

There may be symptoms of nephrotic syndrome:

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

• foamy appearance of the urine
• weight gain (from fluid retention)
• poor appetite

Signs and tests:

The examination is nonspecific except for edema.

A renal biopsy and examination under electron microscope shows classic changes of minimal change disease. An immunofluorescence examination of renal biopsy tissue is negative.