He or she can also see a growth, kidney stone, cyst, or other problems. Chest X-ray. This test uses a small amount of radiation to make images of tissues, bones, and organs on film. Renal biopsy. The healthcare provider takes a small sample of kidney tissue. This is done through the skin with a needle or during surgery.
The sample is looked at under a microscope. Most children with kidney disease see both a pediatrician or family healthcare provider and a nephrologist. A nephrologist is a healthcare provider with special training to treat kidney problems. It will also depend on the severity of the condition and the cause.
Treatments focus on slowing the progression of the disease and preventing complications. Protein is vital for proper growth and nutrition. But the kidneys may not be able to get rid of the waste products that come from eating too much protein.
Your child's healthcare provider will talk with you about how much protein your child needs. Potassium is an important nutrient. Potassium comes from certain foods. Your child may need to limit or not eat foods with a lot of potassium. The kidneys help remove excess phosphorus from the body.
If the kidneys are not working well, too much phosphorus builds up in the blood and can cause calcium to leave the bones. This can make your child's bones weak and easy to break. Your child may need to limit foods with phosphorus. A low-sodium diet can help prevent or reduce fluid retention in your child's body. The healthcare provider will talk with you about the amount of sodium allowed in your child's diet.
In some cases, a child may develop severe problems with electrolytes. In addition to the urine tests, your doctor may also order certain blood tests to look for inflammatory markers that indicate glomerulonephritis. A kidney biopsy is typically performed to confirm the diagnosis, says Dr. Particular patterns within the tissues are what doctors are looking for; these show that the kidneys have been invaded by inflammatory blood cells.
Which medication is best for a particular patient depends on a number of factors including how severe the disease is and what caused it. When an infection triggers glomerulonephritis, the primary therapy focuses on treatment of the infection, rather than with drugs that suppress the immune system.
For a mild case of glomerulonephritis, your doctor may only prescribe blood pressure medication to reduce pressure and damage of the arteries in the kidneys and glomerulus, and then closely monitor the disease activity. Once the kidneys fail, the patient will have to go on dialysis, which is a treatment that filters blood externally through a machine.
The kidneys slowly lose their ability to remove wastes and excess fluid from the blood to make urine. What causes glomerulonephritis? Glomerulonephritis can be caused by various of factors including: Toxins or medicines Viral infections, such as HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses IgA nephropathy Lupus-related kidney inflammation Bacterial infections that commonly cause throat and skin infections, such as strep or staph bacteria What are the symptoms of glomerulonephritis?
The kidneys can be badly damaged before any symptoms appear. These are the most common symptoms: Fatigue High blood pressure Swelling of the face, hands, feet, and belly Blood and protein in the urine hematuria and proteinuria Decreased urine output The symptoms of glomerulonephritis may look like other medical conditions or problems.
How is glomerulonephritis diagnosed? Other tests may include: Urinalysis. This test checks urine for red and white blood cells, infection, or too much protein. Blood tests. Tests to measure the levels of waste products to find out how well the kidneys are filtering.
Ultrasound of the kidney. This test uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to make images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. Ultrasounds are used to view organs as they work, and to check blood flow through blood vessels.
Kidney biopsy. You may get it after an infection in your throat or on your skin. Sometimes, you may get better on your own. Other times, your kidneys may stop working unless the right treatment is started quickly.
The early symptoms of the acute disease are:. You may be short of breath and cough because of extra fluid in your lungs. You may also have high blood pressure. If you have one or all of these symptoms, be sure to see your doctor right away.
The chronic form may develop silently without symptoms over several years. It often leads to complete kidney failure. Early signs and symptoms of the chronic form may include:. The acute disease may be caused by infections such as strep throat.
It may also be caused by other illnesses, including lupus, Goodpasture's syndrome, Wegener's disease, and polyarteritis nodosa. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are important to prevent kidney failure. Sometimes, the disease runs in the family.
This kind often shows up in young men who may also have hearing loss and vision loss. Some forms are caused by changes in the immune system. However, in many cases, the cause is not known. Sometimes, you will have one acute attack of the disease and develop the chronic form years later.
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