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Ency. home > Disease > M > Minimal change disease

Minimal change disease   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Minimal change nephrotic syndrome; Nil disease; Lipoid nephrosis; Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of childhood

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.

Blood tests and urinalysis reveal results typical of the nephrotic syndrome including high levels of urine protein, low blood albumin levels and high cholesterol. A renal biopsy and examination under electron microscope shows classic changes of minimal change disease. An immunofluorescence examination of renal biopsy tissue is negative.

Ency. home > Disease > M > Minimal change disease

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