Q. What is nephrotic syndrome?

A. Nephrotic Syndrome is a common disease in children involving kidneys.

Q. How does it occur?

A. It occurs due to loss of proteins in the urine in large quantities which reduces the amount of protein in blood. Normally, as little as 150 mg of protein is excreted in urine by kidneys in a day whilst in Nephrotic Syndrome 2-20 gm may be lost.

Q. How shall the patient present?

A. Patients present with swelling around eyes in the morning in the early stage, which subsequently spreads to legs, back, abdomen and whole body. Child may also pass less urine during this time.

Q. How do you diagnose the condition?

A. Diagnosis of NS is by a simple urine examination. Urine tests are positive for protein (3+ to 4+).

Q. What is the treatment?

A. In majority of children the cause of nephrotic syndrome is not known hence there is no curative treatment. But oral prednisolone treatment is effective in controlling the protein loss in the urine which is the main problem in NS.