Nephrotic Syndrome is not a disease itself, but rather a group of signs and symptoms that result from damage in the part of the kidney that filters blood (glomeruli).

Common symptoms include:

• Foamy urine (called proteinuria) caused by protein “spilling” into the urine
• Severe swelling in parts of the body, most noticeably around the eyes, hands, feet, and abdomen (called edema)
• Weight gain due to a buildup of extra fluid
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Low levels of protein in the blood (hypoalbuminemia)
• Higher than normal fat and cholesterol levels in the blood (hyperlipidemia)

Nephrotic Syndrome can typically be diagnosed with a urine test.

Nephrotic Syndrome can be “primary” or “secondary” in nature.

Diseases that affect only the kidneys are called primary causes of Nephrotic Syndrome. Doctors often call these diseases “idiopathic,” which means that they arise from an unknown cause. Some of these diseases include:

• Minimal Change Disease (MCD) – most common in children
• Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)
• Membranous Nephropathy (MN) – most common in adults
• IgA Nephropathy (IgAN)

Secondary Nephrotic Syndrome is caused by an underlying, systemic condition like diabetes, lupus, HIV, and others.

The Kidney Health Gateway is a website owned and operated by NephCure Kidney International. The purpose of this website is to help patients with rare forms of primary Nephrotic Syndrome get connected to expert care and cutting-edge treatment options. By answering a few questions about you or your loved one’s condition, we can provide you with a list of clinical trials and/or expert doctors in your area.

If you have additional questions, please visit NephCure.org or email Info@NephCure.org.