GLOMERULONEPHRITIS-NEPHROTIC SYNDROME COMPLICATIONS

SUMMARY

1. Nephrotic-range proteinuria is > 3.5 g/d (or 40-50 mg/ kg/d).

2. Hypoalbuminemia (with 2° edema)

3. Hypogammaglobulinemia (with a tendency for infections with encapsulated organisms, especially H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae)

4. Loss of thyroid and iron-binding globulins (so low total thyroxine and iron levels)

5. Loss of antithrombin III (so they have a hypercoagulable state and are at risk for PE & renal vein thrombosis).

6. Hyperlipidemia.

7. Severe peripheral edema, pleural effusions, and even ascites-yet they do not have pulmonary congestion/oedema.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].