Symptoms of Alport Syndrome

Alport Syndrome is an inherited form of kidney inflammation (Nephritis). It is caused by mutation in a gene for a protein in connective tissue, called collagen. At the very early stage, people don’t have any symptom. However, progressive destruction of the glomeruli leads to blood in the urine and may decrease the effectiveness of the kidney’s filtering system. People need to be aware of their illness condition so that they should be clear of the symptoms in Alport Syndrome.

What are the symptoms of Alport Syndrome?

Main genetic mode of Alport Syndrome is x sex linked dominant inheritance kidney disorder. Thereby, the heredity is related to gender. Henceforth, if a mother has the disease, both his son and daughter can get the disease; if a father has the disease, only a daughter may get the disease. Average onset age of Alport Syndrome is 6 years old; males tend to have earlier onset in comparison to female, although such cases wherein the male sufferers don’t pose evident symptoms at their 20-30s years old also exist. Alport syndrome damages the filtering system of the kidneys so people may have blood in urine in the early course. About 30-40% children with the disease experience hearing change before their 10 years old, including congenital cataracts ornystamus, corneal pigmentation, etc.

Usually, in women sufferers with Alport Syndrome, the disorder is usually mild, with minimal or no symptoms. In men, the symptoms are more severe and get worse faster. At first, there are no symptoms. However, progressive destruction of the glomeruli leads to blood in urine and may decrease the effectiveness of the kidney’s filtering system. Retention of fluid in bloodstream can cause swelling around the eyes, ankles, feet, legs or throughout the body. There can be a progressive loss of kidney function and a build-up of waste products in the body. In addition to the kidneys, many may experience loss of hearing and decrease or loss of vision, which are also characteristic symptoms in Alport Syndrome.

Alport Syndrome can progress into end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at an early age between adolescence and age 40. In some cases there can be no symptoms. Symptoms of chronic kidney failure or heart failure may be present in some cases.