Nephrology Flashcards
how much blood does the nephron receive?
25% of cardiac output per minute
how does GFR differ between neonates and children?
neonates: 20-30ml/minute
2 years old: 90-120ml/minute (same as adults)
what are the 5 functions of the kidneys?
- waste handling
- water handling
- salt balance
- acid base control
- endocrine (RBC/BP/Bone health)
what are the components of the glomerular filtration barrier?
endothelial cells: fenestrated (vulnerable to injury)
GBM (laminin and collage IV)
podocytes (podocin and nephrin)
mesangial cells
how do patients with a glomerulopathy usually present?
blood and/or protein in the urine
what does proteinuria signify?
glomerular injury
what leans towards nephritic syndrome?
- increasing haematuria
- intravascular overload
what leans towards nephrotic syndrome
- increasing proteinuria
- intravascular depletion
what are causes of acquired glomerulopathy
minimal change disease (podocyes) post infectious glomerulonephritis (endothelial cells, GBM) haemolytic uraemic syndrome (endothelial cells) HSP (mesangial cells) IgA nephropathy (mesangial cells)
what are causes of congenital glomerulaopathy
podocyte cytoskeletal integrity
basement membrane proteins
endothelial cells/microvascular integrity
what is the definition of nephrotic syndrome?
nephrotic range proteinuria
hypoalbuminaemia
oedema
why does oedema occur in nephrotic syndrome?
starling’s forces
- osmotic vs hydrostatic
- protein is a magnet to water
- leakage of protein into 3rd space leads to osmotic force
how can proteinuria be tested for?
dipstix
- 3 or above= abnormal
protein creatinine ratio
- PR:CR >250mg/mmol= nephrotic range)
24 hour urine collection
- >1g/m^2/24 hours= nephrotic range
how is nephrotic syndrome diagnosed?
oedema
proteinuria
- urine dipstix: protein 3+, blood 2+ (not frank)
- protein creatinine ratio: 1200mg/mmol
- urine Na 10mmol/l
bloods
- albumin low
- normal creatinine
what are the typical features of minimal change disease?
age: 1 - 10
blood pressure: normal
renal function: normal
frank haematuria: none
what type of nephrotic syndrome is most common in children
minimal change disease
when should renal biopsy be considered in minimal changed disease?
if atypical features present
- suggestions of autoimmune disease
- steroid resistance
- abnormal renal function
what is the treatment for nephrotic syndrome?
- typical features: 8 week course of prednisolone
- second line: immunosupression
what are the possible side effects of high dose glucocorticoids?
- behaviour change
- mood lability
- sleep disturbance
- susceptibility to infection
- growth disturbance
- hypertension
- GI distress due to increased acid
what is the pathogenesis of minimal change disease?
interaction between lymphocytes (T and B cells) and podocytes
what are the possible outcomes of minimal change disease?
95% remission within 2-4 weeks
80% relapse
80% reach long term remission
what are the causes of steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome?
acquired: focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
congenital: podocyte loss (NPHS1 – nephrin, NPHS 2 – podocin)
What is the approach to haematuria?
macroscopic/frank: investigate
microscopic: dipstick
associated proteinuria = glomerular disease
what can cause haematuria?
systemic: clotting disorders
renal: glomerulonephritis, tumours, cysts
malignancies: sarcomas
stones
UTI
trauma
urethritis
how does nephritic syndrome present?
haematuria and proteinuria
reduced GFR
- oliguria
- fluid overload (raised JVP and oedema)
- hypertension
- worsening renal failure
what type of AKI can nephritic syndrome cause?
intrarenal AKI
give examples of causes of glomerulonephritis.
- post Infectious GN
- HSP / IgA nephropathy
- membranoproliferative GN
- lupus Nephritis
- ANCA positive vasculitis
what is usually the cause of post-infectious GN?
group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus
- throat: 7 - 10 days
- skin: 2 - 4 weeks
what is the pathogenesis of post-infectious GN?
- antigen mimicry
2. Ab-Ag complexes
how is post-infectious GN diagnosed?
- bacterial culture
- positive ASOT
- low C3 normalises
what is the prognosis of post-infectious GN?
good prognosis with no recurrence
how is post-infectious GN treated?
- antibiotics for group A strep
- support renal functions
- overload / hypertension (give diuretics)
what is the most common GN worldwide?
IgA nephropathy
who does IgA nephropathy usually affect?
older children and adults
1-2 day after an URTI
how does IgA nephropathy present clinically?
recurrent macroscopic haematuria
+/- chronic microscopic haematuria
varying degree of proteinuria
how is IgA nephropathy diagnosed?
clinical picture
confirmation biopsy: mesangial IgA, IgG and C3 deposits
how is IgA nephropathy treated?
mild disease: proteinuria with ACEI
moderate - severe disease: immunosuppression (KDIGO)
what is the outcome of IgA nephropathy?
variable
- 25% in ESRF by 10 years
- outcome better in children
how is a clinical diagnosis of HNS made?
age: 5 - 15 yrs
mandatory palpable purpura plus 1 of:
- abdominal pain
- renal involvement
- arthritis or arthralgia
- biopsy (IgA deposition)
what is the most common childhood vasculitis?
IgA vasculitis