Minimal change disease

Question 1

What is minimal change disease?

Answer 1

The most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children

Question 2

What are the causes of minimal change disease?

Answer 2

Idiopathic - most common
Drugs - NSAIDs, rifampicin
Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Infectious mononucleosis

Question 3

What are the features of minimal change disease?

Answer 3

Nephrotic syndrome
- Oedema
- Proteinuria
- Hypoalbuminaemia
No hypotension

Question 4

What investigations are used in the diagnosis of minimal change disease?

Answer 4

Renal biopsy
Urinalysis

Question 5

What is seen on a renal biopsy in minimal change disease?

Answer 5

Normal glomeruli
Fusion of podocytes and effacement of foot processes

Question 6

What is the management of minimal change disease?

Answer 6

Oral corticosteroids

Question 7

What is seen on urinalysis in minimal change disease?

Answer 7

Small molecular weight proteins and hyaline casts

Question 8

What is the second line management of minimal change disease?

Answer 8

Cyclophosphamide