Nephrology Flashcards
How much blood does the nephron receive?
25% of cardiac output per minute
How does GFR between neonates and children?
- 20-30ml/minute in neonates
- 90-120ml/minute by age 2 (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
- GBM
- Podocytes
- Mesangial cells
What are the features of the endothelial cells of the glomerular filtration barrier?
- Fenestrated
- Vulnerable to immune mediated injury
What are the features of the glomerular basement membrane of the glomerular filtration barrier?
- 2 proteins - Type IV collagen (COL4) and laminin
- Synthesis from podocytes and endothelial cells
- Mesangial cells playing a role in turnover
What are the features of the podocytes in the glomerular filtration barrier?
Contain proteins
-Podocin and nephrin
What are the features of the mesangial cells in the glomerular filtration barrier?
- Glomerular structural support
- Embedded in GBM
- Regulates blood flow of the glomerular capillaries
How patients with a glomerulopathy usually present?
Blood and/or protein in the urine
What does blood/protein in the urine in varying amounts dictate?
- Clinical presentation
- Suggests diagnosisq
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 can cause acquired glomerulopathy by affecting the epithelial (podocyte) cells?
- Minimal change disease
- FSGD
- Lupus
What can cause acquired glomerulopathy by affecting the basement membrane?
- Membranous glomerulopathy
- Membranoprolifertive glomerulonephritis
- Post-infection glomerulonephritis
What can cause acquired glomerulopathy by affecting the endothelial cells?
- Post-infectious glomerulonephritis
- Haemolytic uraemic syndrome
- Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
- Lupus
What can cause acquired glomerulopathy by affecting the mesangial cells?
- HSP
- IgA nephropathy
- Lupus
What can cause congenital glomerulaopathy by affecting the podocyte cytoskeletal integrity?
Proteins
- Podocin (autosomal recessive)
- Nephrin (autosomal recessive
What can cause congenital glomerulopathy by affecting the basement membrane proteins?
- Alport syndrome (X-linked)
- Thin basement membrane disease (autosomal dominant)
What can cause congenital glomerulaopthy by affected the endothelial/ microvascular integrity?
Complement regulatory proteins (MPGN)
What is the definition of nephrotic syndrome?
-Nephrotic range proteinuria with hypoalbuminaemia and 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 ration (early morning, PR:CR >25mg/mmol= nephrotic range)
- 24 hour urine collection (>1g/m^2/24 hours= nephrotic range
How is nephrotic syndrome diagnosed?
Oedema and proteinuria
Urine dipstix
- Protein 3+
- Blood 2+ (not frank)
Protein creatinine ration: 1200mg/mmol
Urine Na 10
Bloods
- Albumin low
- Normal creatinine