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Minimal change disease (MCD) is the most common cause of Nephrotic Syndrome in children and also seen in adult. If your child or loved ones is suffering from this form of Nephrotic Syndrome, the following content about minimal change disease causes, symptoms and treatment must be useful for you.
Minimal change disease cause
MCD is a slight kidney disorder, so the nephrons of patients’ kidney usually look normal under a regular microscope. An electron microscope is often used to diagnose minimal change disease. Even though its exact cause is still unknown, we can confirm that allergic reactions, NSAID use, tumors, vaccinations, viral infections, etc, all can contribute to MCD. In MCD, the tiny blood vessels in glomeruli are damaged and can’t do their work normally.
Minimal change disease symptoms
As one form of Nephrotic Syndrome, MCD nearly has all symptoms that occur in Nephrotic Syndrome. The following is an overview of these symptoms:
● Proteinuria or foamy urine
● Swelling especially around the eyes, feet, ankles and abdomen.
● Weight gain
● Poor appetite
● Microscopic hematuria
Treatment
Corticosteroid are most treatment options for MCD. In most cases, patients can get complete remission of proteinuria. About 90% of children respond to prednisone within 2 weeks, but they still need lower dose of prednisone for another 6 weeks after the remission of proteinuria. Adults usually respond more slowly than children, and most of them may need about 26 weeks to remit. When the corticosteroid can’t work very well, immunosuppressive agents may be needed to remit patients’ proteinuria and ease their swelling.
However, in some cases, children and adults are resistant to corticosteroid and immunosuppressive or their condition relapses again and again. In this situation, patients may need some kidney repairing treatments such as Micro-Chinese Medicine Osmotherapy. Once the damaged kidney filters can recover to work, patients’ condition can be controlled very well. The sooner you get the correct treatment, the better prognosis of your minimal change disease.
