Glomerulonephritis is understood to mean inflammation of the glomeruli of the kidneys, which leads to the loss of their normal functional activity. As a result, fluid retention is observed, which leads to a significant increase in blood pressure, the appearance of edema. In urine, the concentration of protein increases and blood appears.
Glomerulonephritis in children occurs after previous infectious diseases: tonsillitis, scarlet fever, laryngitis, pharyngitis. The causative agent of this disease is streptococcus, in quite rare cases, its appearance is associated with viruses. When an infectious agent enters the human body, it begins to produce toxins, which enter the kidney tissue with blood flow and cause glomerular damage by soldering their walls. Thus, the outflow of urine is difficult, characteristic clinical symptoms appear.
Glomerulonephritis in children occurs in the following forms: acute, subacute, chronic. The latter species has a slow development and course, which in most cases is asymptomatic. However, in childhood, the chronic form occurs in fairly rare cases. There are other classifications based on the degree and form of glomerular lesions. Hematuria, nephrotic, mixed type of damage to the kidney structures are distinguished.
Glomerulonephritis in children is characterized by multiple clinical symptoms. Most often, the disease begins with the appearance of a characteristic pain in the lumbar region, which is acute in nature. In the future, vomiting, a change in the color of urine (it becomes rusty) and its amount (significantly decreases), an increase in blood pressure, temperature can join. Characteristic signs indicating the progression of the pathological condition are edema, which is most often localized on the face, eyelids. In especially severe cases, dangerous complications join the underlying disease: nephrotic encephalopathy, uremia, heart failure.
Glomerulonephritis and pregnancy are almost incompatible concepts, since always in such cases there is an extremely severe course of the disease, which often leads to death. Therefore, in this period, instrumental and laboratory diagnostics are of paramount importance.
For the diagnosis of this disease, laboratory (serological blood analysis and general urine analysis), instrumental (ultrasound, kidney biopsy) methods are used.
The most common form of the disease is acute glomerulonephritis. Treatment of this pathological condition begins with the appointment of antibacterial agents. These drugs are supplemented with glucocorticoids. Especially important is the appointment of a diet, which consists of products containing low amounts of fat, salt. During treatment, constant monitoring of diuresis is carried out, in especially severe cases, diuretics are prescribed.
With an autoimmune form of the disease, cytostatic agents are prescribed. In almost all cases, hormonal preparations, in particular prednisone, are indicated. The use of such drugs requires monthly breaks with a gradual decrease in their dosage. In opposite cases, atrophy of the adrenal cortex develops.
Glomerulonephritis in children is a disease that, with improper and untimely treatment, leads to the addition of dangerous complications. However, with proper care and adequate therapy, a gradual decrease in the symptoms of the disease and restoration of the glomeruli of the kidneys are observed.