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Acute nephritic syndrome   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Glomerulonephritis - acute; Acute glomerulonephritis; Nephritis syndrome - acute

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to reduce glomerular inflammation. Hospitalization is required for diagnosis and treatment of many forms of acute nephritic syndrome. The cause must be identified and treated. This may include antibiotics or other medications or treatment.

Bedrest may be recommended. The diet may include restriction of salt, and/or fluids, and/or potassium. Medications may include anti-hypertensive medications to control high blood pressure. Corticosteroids or other anti-inflammatory medications may be used to reduce inflammation.

Other treatment of acute renal failure may be appropriate.

Prognosis

The probable outcome is variable and depends on the disease responsible for the nephritis. When improvement occurs, symptoms associated with fluid retention (such as swelling and cough) and hypertension may resolve in a week or two, while urine tests take months to return to normal.

Children tend to do better than adults and usually recover completely. Only rarely do they develop complications or progress to chronic glomerulonephritis.

Adults do not recover quite as well or as rapidly as children. Although recurrence is unusual, at least one-third of adults whose acute nephritic syndrome recurs will eventually develop end-stage renal disease.

Complications

• acute renal failure
• chronic glomerulonephritis
• chronic renal failure
• end-stage renal disease
• hypertension
• congestive heart failure
• pulmonary edema
• nephrotic syndrome

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Call your health care provider if symptoms that are suggestive of acute nephritic syndrome develop.

Ency. home > Disease > A > Acute nephritic syndrome

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