Aetiology

A number of the glomerulonephritides may present with nephrotic syndrome including:

• minimal change glomerulonephritis
• membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
• membranous glomerulonephritis
• focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Other causes include:

• systemic lupus erythematosis
• Henoch-Schonlein purpura
• diabetic glomerulosclerosis
• amyloidosis
• allergic reactions to a wide range of allergens
• drugs and metals including:
  • gold
  • mercury
  • cadmium
  • captopril
  • penicillamine
  • analgesics and NSAID's including phenacetin, aspirin and paracetamol
• congenital nephrotic syndrome

With few exceptions, the causes of nephrotic syndrome are identical in children and adults; however, the relative frequencies of the different aetiologies vary considerably with important consequences for management and biopsy - see aetiology of nephrotic syndrome in children, aetiology of nephrotic syndrome in adults, and investigations.