Glomerulonephritides: Overview

Key points

• Nephritic syndrome: haematuria, hypertension, and variable proteinuria
• Nephrotic syndrome: heavy proteinuria (> 3g/24hr), hypoalbuminaemia, oedema
• Rapidly progressive GN: rapid loss of renal function, often presenting as AKI; causes include Goodpasture's and ANCA-positive vasculitis
• IgA nephropathy (Berger's disease): typically a young adult with haematuria 1–2 days after a URTI
• Post-streptococcal GN: classic cause in children, developing 1–2 weeks after a group A strep infection
• SLE: diffuse proliferative GN (class IV) is the most common and most severe renal manifestation
• Membranoproliferative GN (mesangiocapillary): type 2 ('dense deposit disease') is associated with partial lipodystrophy
• Minimal change disease: typically a child with nephrotic syndrome (accounts for ~80% of childhood cases); usually steroid-responsive
• Membranous GN: commonest cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults; presents with proteinuria, nephrotic syndrome, or CKD