Nephrotic syndrome, a syndrome complicating various pathological processes and which can present in all age groups, is the combination of proteinuria, hypoalbuminaemia and oedema (+/- hyperlipidaemia and a hypercoagulable state). It is defined clinically by presence of the following:
- Urinary protein losses of >3g/day (~ urine protein:creatinine ratio >300mg/mmol)
- Serum Albumin <30g/L
- Oedema (may be mild)
Consideration of nephrotic syndrome should be given to presentations listed in in box 1
Presentation of Nephrotic syndrome |
Box 1 – Important presentations of nephrotic syndrome