iga nephropathy threat to children's health

iga nephropathy

IgA nephropathy (nuh-FROP-uh-thee), also known as Berger's disease, is a kidney disease that occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) lodges in your kidneys. This results in local inflammation that, over time, may hamper your kidneys' ability to filter waste, excess water and electrolytes from your blood. Kidney damage may be indicated by blood and protein in your urine, high blood pressure and swollen feet.

IgA nephropathy usually progresses slowly over many years, but the course of the disease in each person is uncertain. Some people leak blood in their urine without developing problems, some eventually achieve complete remission, and others develop end-stage kidney failure.

No cure exists for IgA nephropathy, but certain medications can slow its course. Keeping your blood pressure under control and reducing your cholesterol levels also slow disease progression.

About 80% of children with IgA Nephropathy initiates the disease with hematuria which usually occurs after an Upper Respiratory Infection. Hematuria can exhibits in 24 to 72 hours after infection and this time hematuria can be seen by naked eyes (macroscopic hematuria). Some children are found tonsillar enlargement in this time; macroscopic hematuria may disappear after tonsillectomy.

Except above symptoms, children with IgA Nephropathy also can present Nephritis Syndrome (hematuria, massive proteinuria, edema and Hypertension). Hypertension usually signals exacerbation of the disease. However, only 5% of children are found of having Hypertension. Hypertension affects more adults with IgA Nephropathy than children. If people with IgA Nephropathy suffer from Hypertension, usually they have rapidly progressive kidney function deterioration. It is estimated that less than 5% of patients with IgA Nephropathy exhibit Rapidly Progressive Nephritic Syndrome.

IgA Nephropathy is a chronic kidney disease which can not be totally treated. But there are ways to control it well and to ensure the quality of life. The major treatment of IgA Nephropathy nowadays still relies on corticosteroids which can alleviate the symptoms quickly but may bring a lot of side effects to the patients. Therefore, patients with IgA Nephropathy should choose a safe and effective way to control the disease well.

Ask your doctor or Email to sjzkidneyhospital@hotmail.com with your disease report,we are glad to offer you more details directly as soon as possible.