Top 4 Causes of Nephrotic Syndrome

As a group of clinical manifestations including massive proteinuria (≧3.5g/day), low plasma protein, edema and hyperlipidemia, nephrotic syndrome can occur to people of all ages from children to the elderly. To avoid the damages caused by nephrotic syndrome and have effective prevention and treatment, we need to know what are the causes of nephrotic syndrome. The following are the top 4 causes of nephrotic syndrome.

1. Immunologic diseases. The nephrotic syndrome caused by purpura and systemic lupus erythematosus accounts for a large proportion of secondary nephrotic syndrome. Besides, tuberous arteritis, systemic sclerosis and dermatomyositis can also cause nephrotic syndrome.

2. Infections. Some infections can cause the onset of nephrotic syndrome. The common ones include bacterial endocarditis, osteomyelitis, typhus, typhoid fever, sepsis, tuberculosis, leprosy, virus infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, parasitic infections such as malaria, schistosomiasis, filariasis, etc.

3. Systemic diseases. This is also one common cause of nephrotic syndrome. Common ones are diabetic nephropathy, renal amyloid, nephrosclerosis, myxedema,etc.

4. Hereditary diseases. Nephrotic syndrome can also be caused by some hereditary diseases such as sickle cell anemia, familial renal heald, congenital nephrotic syndrome, fat malnutrition, etc.

In addition to the above 4 causes, other factors such as renal toxicity medicines, contagious liver diseases and unhealthy life habits can all induce nephrotic syndrome.

The mechanism of renal damages in nephrotic syndrome:

Due to immune disorders and immune dysfunction, immune complex will form and they will circulate with blood circulation and deposit in the kidneys. The deposition of immune complex in the kidneys will induce abnormal inflammatory reactions. Mononuclear macrophage, neutrophils, eosinophils, platelet and inflammatory medium will invade the kidneys and in the end damage the mechanical barrier and charge barrier of the glomerular filtration membrane. As a result, the permeability of plasma protein is increased and there will be increased protein in urine and when it exceeds the amount that renal tubules can re-absorb there will be massive proteinuria. Long term protein leakage will further damage the glomerular filtration membrane and worsen the illness condition, therefore early and effective measures should be taken to help eliminate protein in urine and repair the damaged glomerular membranes.