Skip to main content
Log in

Congenital nephrotic syndrome

  • International Symposium on Hereditary Nephropathies Heidelberg, 6–8 October, 1986
  • Published:
Pediatric Nephrology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Congentital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) is an uncommon disorder. Several different diseases may cause the syndrome. These may be inherited, sporadic, acquired or part of a general malformation syndrome. The problems associated with nephrotic syndrome in early infancy are divided into three parts: diagnosis, treatment and prenatal diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis is essential for the treatment, genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis. The ultimate curative treatment of CNS is renal transplantation. The supportive treatment before the transplantation is of utmost importance in order to maintain a reasonable clinical condition and prepare the child for the dialysis and renal transplantation. Prenatal diagnosis is possible in some types of CNS by determination of the maternal serum and amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Increased AFP indicates fetal proteinuria, and thereby nephrotic syndrome before birth. In some cases with the onset of proteinuria after birth prenatal AFP measurement does not detect the disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hallman N, Hjelt L, Ahvenainen EK (1956) Nephrotic syndrome in newborn and young infants. Ann Pediatr Fenn 2: 227–241

    Google Scholar 

  2. Norio R (1966) Heredity in the congenital nephrotic syndrome. Ann Paediatr Fenn (Suppl 12) 27: 1–94

    Google Scholar 

  3. Hallman N, Norio R, Kouvalainen K, Vilska J, Kojo N (1970) Das Kongenitale Nephrotische Syndrom (1970) Ergeb Inn Med Kinderheilk 30: 1–67

    Google Scholar 

  4. Rapola J, Huttunen N-P, Hallman N (1987) Congenital and infantile nephrotic syndrome. In: Edelman CM Jr, Bernstein J, Meadow R, Travis LB, Spitzer A (eds) Pediatric kidney disease, 2nd edn. Little Brown & Co, Boston (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Huttunen N-P, Rapola J, Vilska J, Hallman N (1980) Renal pathology in congenital nephrotic syndrome of Finnish type: a quantitative light microscopic study on 50 patients. Int J Pediatr Nephrol 1: 10–16

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Wiggelinkhuizen J, Kaschula ROC, Uys CJ, Kuijten RH, Dale J (1973) Congenital syphilis and glomerulonephritis with evidence for immune pathogenesis. Arch Dis Child 48: 375–381

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Suskind R, Winkelstein JA, Spear GA (1973) Nephrotic syndrome in congenital syphilis. Arch Dis Child 48: 237–239

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Shahin B, Papadopoulou ZL, Jeni EH (1974) Congenital nephrotic syndrome associated with congenital toxoplasmosis. J Pediatr 85: 366–370

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Wickbom B, Winberg J (1972) Coincidence of congenital toxoplasmosis and acute nephritis with nephrotic syndrome. Acta Paediatr Scand 61: 470–472

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Beale MG, Strayer DS, Kissane JM, Robson AM (1979) Congenital glomerulosclerosis and nephrotic syndrome in two infants. Am J Dis Child 133: 842–845

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Drash A, Sherman F, Hartman WH, Blizzard RM (1970) A syndrome of pseudohermaphroditism, Wilms' tumor, hypertension and degenerative renal disease. J Pediatr 76: 585–593

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Eddy AA, Mauer SM (1985) Pseudohermaphroditism, glomerulopathy, and Wilms' tumor (Drash syndrome): frequency in end-stage renal failure. J Pediatr 106: 584–587

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Habib R, Loirat C, Gubler MC, Niaudet P, Bensman A, Levy M, Broyer M (1985) The nephropathy associated with male pseudohermaphroditism and Wilsm tumor (Drash syndrome): a distinctive glomerular lesion—report of 10 cases. Clin Nephrol 24: 269–278

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Shapiro LR, Duncan PA, Farnsworth PB, Lefkowitz M (1976) Congenital microcephaly, hiatus hernia and nephrotic syndrome: an autosomal recessive syndrome. Birth Defects 12: 275–278

    Google Scholar 

  15. Robain O, Deonna T (1983) Pachygyria and congenital nephrosis. Disorder of migration and neuronal orientation. Acta Neuropathol (Berl) 60: 137–141

    Google Scholar 

  16. Palm L, Hägerstrand I, Kristofferssen U, Blennow G, Brun A, Jörgensen C (1986) Nephrosis and disturbances of neuronal migration in male siblings—a new hereditary disorder? Arch Dis Child 61: 545–548

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Similä S, Wasz-Höckert O (1970) Hereditary onychoosteodysplasia (the nail-patella syndrome) with nephrosislike renal disease in a newborn boy. Pediatrics 4: 61–65

    Google Scholar 

  18. Habib R, Bois E (1973) Hétérogénéité des syndromes néphrotiques à début précoce du nourrisson (syndrome néphrotique “infantile”). Helv Paediatr Acta 28: 91–107

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Barakat AY, Khoury LA, Allam CK, Najjar SS (1982) Diffuse mesangial sclerosis and ocular abnormalities in two siblings. Int J Pediatr Nephrol 3: 33–35

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Mendelsohn HB, Krauss M, Berant M, Lichtig C (1982) Familial early-onset nephrotic syndrome: diffuse mesangial sclerosis. Acta Paediatr Scand 71: 753–758

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Larbre F, Guibaud P, Freycon M-T, Parchoux B, Gilly J, Bouvier R (1978) Evolution prolongée d'un syndrome néphrotique congénital à lésions glomérulaires minimes. Pediatrie 33: 287–290

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Gonzales G, Kleinknecht C, Gubler MC, Lenoir G (1977) Syndromes néphrotiques familiaux. Rev Pediatr 12: 427–433

    Google Scholar 

  23. Davin JC, Dechenne C, Chantraine JM (1981) A case of congenital nephrotic syndrome. Nephron 28: 32–35

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Anand SK, Northway JD, Vernier RL (1979) Congenital nephrotic syndrome: report of a patient with cystic tubular changes who recovered. J Pediatr 95: 265–268

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Kohaut EC, Hill LL (1977) Atypical nephrotic syndrome in the first year of life. J Pediatr 90: 415–417

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Huttunen N-P (1976) Congenital nephrotic syndrome of Finnish type. Study of 75 cases. Arch Dis Child 51: 344–348

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Floret D, Sellem C, Dubernard JM, Salle B, Desebbe C, Touraine JL, Revillard JP, Traeger J (1976) Transplantation rénale a l'âge de 2 ans 4 mois pour syndrome néphrotique congénital. Nouv Presse Med 5: 2701–2702

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Hodson EM, Najarian JS, Kjellstrand CM, Simmons RL, Mauer SM (1978) Renal transplantation in children ages 1 to 5 years. Pediatrics 61: 458–464

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Mahan JD, Mauer SM, Sibley RK, Vernier RL (1984) Congenital nephrotic syndrome: evolution of medical management and results of renal transplantation. J Pediatr 105: 549–557

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Sheldon CA, Elick B, Najarian JS, Mauer SM (1985) Improving survival in the very young renal transplant recipient. J Pediatr Surg 20: 622–626

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Guillot M, Broyer M, Cathelineau L, Boulegue D, Dartois AM, Folio D, Guimbaud P (1980) Nutrition entérale à debit constant en néphrologie pédiatrique. Arch Fr Pediatr 37: 497–505

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Genova R, Guerra A (1982) E' possible migliorare la prognosi della nefrosi congenita? Pediatr Med Chir 4: 21–31

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Kjessler B, Hultquist G, Johansson SGO, Sherman MS, Gustavson KH (1977) Antenatal diagnosis of congenital nephrosis of the Finnish type. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand [Suppl] 69: 59–77

    Google Scholar 

  34. Milunsky A, Alpert E, Frigoletto FD, Driscoll SG, McCluskey RT, Colvin RB (1977) Prenatal diagnosis of the congenital nephrotic syndrome. Pediatrics 59: 770–773

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Thom H, Johnstone FD, Gibson JI, Scott GB, Noble DW (1977) Fetal proteinuria in diagnosis of congenital nephrosis detected by raised alpha-fetoprotein in maternal serum. Br Med J 1: 16–18

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Aula P, Rapola J, Karjalainen O, Lindgren J, Hartikainen AL, Seppälä M (1978) Prenatal diagnosis of congenital nephrosis in 23 high risk families. Am J Dis Child 132: 984–987

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Ryynänen M, Seppälä M, Kuusela J, Rapola J, Aula P, Seppä A, Jokela V, Castren O (1983) Antenatal screening for congenital nephrosis in Finland by maternal serum α-fetoprotein. Br J Obstet Gynecol 90: 437–442

    Google Scholar 

  38. Schneller M, Braga SE, Moser H, Zimmerman A, Oetliker O (1983) Congenital nephrotic syndrome: clinico-pathological heterogeneity and prenatal diagnosis. Clin Nephrol 19: 243–249

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Spritz RA, Soiffer SJ, Siegel NJ, Mahoney MJ (1978) False-negative AFP screen for congenital nephrosis Finnish type. Lancet II: 1251

    Google Scholar 

  40. Rapola J, Sariola H, Ekblom P (1984) Pathology of fetal congenital nephrosis: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies. Kidney Int 25: 701–707

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Vernier RL, Klein DJ, Sisson SP, Mahan JD, Oegema TR, Brown DM (1983) Heparan sulfate-rich anionic sites in the human glomerular basement membrane. Decreased concentration in congenital nephrotic syndrome. N Engl J Med 309: 1001–1009

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rapola, J. Congenital nephrotic syndrome. Pediatr Nephrol 1, 441–446 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00849252

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00849252

Key words

Navigation