Glomerulonephritis

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to find more topics about conditions, tests & diagnosis, treatments and supporting information.
Each topic starts with an overview followed by several sections with more information.
Links to sections in topic | Other topics available on website

Glomerulonephritis is a group of conditions that cause

inflammation (swelling) in the kidneys. Children with
glomerulonephritis have blood and protein in their urine,
and may have swelling in their body, especially in their
face and legs. Glomerulonephritis may lead to other
complications, including high blood pressure.
All children with glomerulonephritis are carefully
monitored by a team of healthcare professionals. Some
need to stay in hospital for a few days, but most of the
time they will need to visit the hospital during the day
only.
For many children, glomerulonephritis is quite mild
and they will get better. Some need further care to help
them get back to health. Some children will have long-
term problems with their kidneys, and will need to be
monitored and have specialist treatment when it is needed.
If your doctor has told you that your child has a specific type of glomerulonephritis, or a condition that causes
glomerulonephritis, please go to the topic on www.infoKID.org

zz Post-infectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN) zz IgA nephropathy

zz Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis zz Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP)
(MPGN)

Overview
About the urinary system
The urinary system gets rid of things that the body no
longer needs, so that we can grow and stay healthy.
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs. They filter blood to
Kidney remove extra water, salt and waste in urine (wee). Most of
us have two kidneys. They are at the back on either side of
our spine (backbone), near the bottom edge of our ribs.
Ureter The two ureters are long tubes that carry urine from the
kidneys to the bladder.
Bladder The bladder is a bag that stores urine until we are ready
to urinate (wee). It sits low down in the tummy area.
The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder to
the outside of the body.
Urethra

Glomerulonephritis | Page 1
Symptoms and complications Tests and diagnosis
Your child’s doctor can diagnose (identify)
Symptoms and signs glomerulonephritis with a urine test. It is often picked up
Some children with glomerulonephritis do not have any during a urine test for another reason – such as a urinary
symptoms and signs, especially in the early stages tract infection (UTI).
of the disease. Common symptoms and signs of Your doctor will speak with you and your child about the
glomerulonephritis include: symptoms and do a physical examination. Your child
zz blood in the urine (haematuria) – you cannot always may also need other tests, such as blood tests and an
see the blood, but if there is a lot, the urine may be ultrasound scan.
coloured red or dark brown (like a cola drink)
»»More about tests and diagnosis
zz protein in the urine (proteinuria) – you cannot
usually see the protein, but sometimes it can make
the urine look frothy. It can be found on a simple Treatment
urine test.
Where will my child be treated?
zz urinating less often or smaller amounts
Your child will be looked after by a paediatrician, a
zz swelling or puffiness in different parts of the body, children’s doctor.
especially around the eyes, legs and feet – this is
called oedema A few children are referred to a paediatric renal unit. This
is a special unit for children with kidney problems, which
zz swelling in the abdomen (tummy) or breathlessness, may be in a different hospital to your own. Your child will
but this is rare be looked after by a paediatric nephrologist, a doctor
who treats children with kidney problems.
Complications
Your child may need to stay in hospital for a few days or
Some children have complications – health problems that longer. Most of the time, children with glomerulonephritis
happen because of the condition or its treatment. have their care as outpatients. This means that your child
zz Glomerulonephritis may lead to blood pressure that is will visit the hospital during the day and go home.
too high (hypertension).
zz Occasionally, the condition gets worse quickly and
About treatment
the kidneys work less well than normal – this is called Your child may need to make changes to what he or she
rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN). eats or drinks. Many children need to take medicines that
aim to reduce the amount of protein lost in their urine.
zz RPGN is one cause of acute kidney injury (AKI)
Occasionally, other medicines are needed.
– when the kidneys quickly stop working as well as
they should, over a short time. »»More about treatment
»»More about symptoms and complications
About the future
Causes Follow up
Glomerulonephritis can happen in people of all ages,
including children. All children with glomerulonephritis need to go back to the
hospital or clinic for follow-up appointments to check for
Occasionally, it is not known why a child has any health problems.
glomerulonephritis. It may happen:
zz because of a problem with your child’s immune Long-term effects
system, which normally protects the body against Your healthcare team will speak with you and your child
infection and disease about any long-term effects your child might have with
zz after an infection glomerulonephritis.
zz as part of another condition For many children, the disease is quite mild. They will
get better with no long-term problems with their kidneys.
zz because it has been inherited (runs in families)
Some need further care to help them get back to health.
»»More about causes In some children, the kidneys stop working as well as they
should – this happens slowly, often over many years. This
is called chronic kidney disease (CKD). If your child
develops CKD, you will learn more over time about what to
expect and how to help manage the condition.
»»More about the future

Glomerulonephritis | Page 2
 Symptoms and complications
Symptoms and signs zz decreased appetite (not wanting to eat)

Many children with glomerulonephritis may not notice any zz nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick), or
symptoms at first. The symptoms can vary from child to diarrhoea
child. Examples are given below. zz pain in the tummy

Blood in the urine zz headaches that keep coming back or that do not go
away
When red blood cells leak through the kidney’s filters
into the urine, this causes haematuria (blood in the zz pain, stiffness or swelling of the joints
urine). Sometimes you cannot see the blood, but if there
is a lot, the urine may be coloured red or dark brown (like Complications
blackcurrant squash or a cola drink).
Some children have more complications – health
Protein in the urine problems that happen because of the condition or its
treatment. These are more rare. Your child’s healthcare
When protein leaks through the kidney’s filters into the
team will carefully check for these, and speak with you
urine, this causes proteinuria (more protein in the urine
about any treatment that your child may need.
than normal). You cannot usually see the protein, but
occasionally it can make the urine look frothy. High blood pressure
Protein is an important part of our diet and is in most foods. Glomerulonephritis can cause blood pressure that is
When we eat protein, it is digested (broken down) in the too high (hypertension). In some children, this causes
stomach and gut and taken into the blood. headaches, vomiting or blurred (fuzzy) vision.
Problems urinating Nephrotic syndrome
Some children pass urine less often or pass smaller If too much protein is lost in the urine, this causes
amounts. nephrotic syndrome.
Swelling Children with nephrotic syndrome often have oedema,
which is swelling or puffiness, especially around their eyes
Some children have swelling or puffiness in different parts
or their legs and feet.
of their body, especially around their eyes, legs and feet
(oedema). Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
Occasionally, glomerulonephritis gets worse quickly –
Swelling in the tummy and breathlessness
this is called rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis
zz A few children get a large swelling in their abdomen (RPGN) or crescentic glomerulonephritis.
(tummy area). This is called ascites. It happens
when fluid builds up in the area around the organs in If this happens, your child will need to take medicines
the abdomen – the peritoneal cavity. and may need more intensive treatment, such as
dialysis, which uses special equipment to clean the blood.
zz A very small number of children feel breathless. This Some children with RPGN will get better, but a few will
happens when fluid builds up in the area around their need long-term dialysis before they can have a kidney
lungs. transplant.
ÎÎIf your child has glomerulonephritis and a very This is one cause of acute kidney injury – when the
swollen tummy or feels breathless, contact your kidneys quickly stop working as well as they should, over
doctor as soon as possible. a short time.
Other symptoms and signs
The below are occasionally found in children with
glomerulonephritis:
zz feeling tired, low energy or difficulty concentrating

Symptoms: Read more about why swelling happens

There are two reasons why children with glomerulonephritis get oedema.
zz Sometimes, the damaged kidney filters (glomeruli) are not able to filter enough salt and water out of the blood
into urine. After a while, there is too much salt and water in the body, which causes the swelling.
zz Sometimes, the kidneys leak a large amount of protein, especially a type called albumin, into the urine. This
leads to nephrotic syndrome. Fluid moves in and out of the bloodstream to nourish (feed) the body’s cells.
Albumin helps keep fluid in the bloodstream – if there is not enough albumin, fluid stays outside the bloodstream
and in parts of the body. This causes the swelling.

Glomerulonephritis | Page 3
 Causes
Your doctor will try to find out what is causing the glomerulonephritis in your child.
Occasionally it is not clear why the glomeruli are inflamed or damaged.

What happens in the kidneys zz Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis

(MPGN): a protein called complement, which is
Inside each kidney are about a million tiny filters called also part of the immune system, gets trapped in the
glomeruli. They help to remove extra water, salt and waste, glomeruli. This is also called mesangiocapillary
which are passed out of the body in urine. They also make glomerulonephritis (MCGN).
sure the body keeps what it needs, such as blood cells,
protein and other important chemicals.
Other conditions or infections
In glomerulonephritis, the glomeruli become inflamed
(swollen) or damaged. This causes both blood and protein Sometimes glomerulonephritis is caused by another
to leak into the urine. condition or infection.
zz Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, or lupus):
»»Read more about how glomerulonephritis the immune system does not work properly and
happens on the next page attacks different parts of the body, sometimes
including the kidneys.
After infection zz ANCA-positive nephritis: blood vessels in the
Most children with glomerulonephritis get it after an kidney and other parts of the body become inflamed.
infection – usually affecting the throat, nose or sinuses, or ANCA is a type of antibody – instead of killing germs
occasionally the skin. This type of glomerulonephritis is as other antibodies do, ANCA attack the body’s own
called post-infectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN). tissues and cells.
If the infection is caused by a type of bacteria called zz Other infections: a small number of children who
Streptococcus, it may be called post-streptococcal have infections such as HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C,
glomerulonephritis (PSGN). get glomerulonephritis.
Most children recover from these infections. However, a
small number of children get glomerulonephritis after Hereditary causes
about two weeks from the start of the infection. It is not Rarely, glomerulonephritis is hereditary, which means that
always clear why a few children get this condition after an it is inherited from the mother and/or father.
infection, though it may be because of problems with their
immune system. zz Alport syndrome is a very rare condition, which
may also be called hereditary nephritis. Children are
born with an abnormality (problem) in the walls of the
The immune system blood vessels that make up their glomeruli. These
Many germs – including bacteria and viruses – can make children may also have problems with hearing or
us sick if they get into the body. The immune system can seeing. The complications are usually more serious
kill these germs. However, if the immune system is not in boys than in girls.
working properly, it can start to cause problems.
»»Read more about the immune system on Will it affect other family
the next page members?
Most types of glomerulonephritis do not run in families. If
Types of glomerulonephritis linked to the one of your children has glomerulonephritis, it is unlikely
immune system that another of your children or family members will get it.
zz IgA nephropathy: proteins called IgA, which are part If your child has a hereditary form of glomerulonephritis,
of the immune system, get trapped in the glomeruli. such as Alport syndrome, your doctor will give you more
This is also called Berger disease. information.
zz Henoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP): IgA settles on
»»More about some types of
blood vessels throughout the body. Children with HSP
have a rash, and may have joint pain and tummy glomerulonephritis on www.infoKID.org.uk
pain. Some cases of HSP affect the kidneys, causing
glomerulonephritis.

Glomerulonephritis | Page 4
 Causes: Read more about how the kidney works and protein leak

How the kidney works

Inside each kidney, there are about one million nephrons. Each nephron is made up of a glomerulus (when we talk
about more than one glomerulus, we say glomeruli), and a renal tubule.
zz Each glomerulus acts like a sieve, helping to
remove extra water and waste from the body, Bowman’s capsule
and holding on to blood cells and protein, which
the body needs.
zz Blood flows into the kidneys and to each Glomerulus
glomerulus.
Distal tubule
zz Most of the water and some other substances in Proximal tubule
the blood pass through the glomeruli.
zz This liquid flows into the renal tubule. Most of
this liquid moves back into the bloodstream. Collecting duct
The rest of it becomes urine.
zz The urine leaves the kidney by the ureters and
goes into the bladder, where it is stored until we
are ready to go to the toilet.
Loop of Henle
»»More about what the kidney does
A nephron
About the name
Nephritis means inflammation, or swelling, in the kidneys. Glomerulonephritis is specifically about inflammation of
the glomeruli.

Immune system
Germs
The immune system protects the body against germs such as bacteria and viruses that can cause illness. These
germs can enter the body in lots of ways, such as by the nose and throat or the urinary system. If we get a cold or flu,
this means that a virus germ has got into the body and started to infect some of our body’s cells.
Germs have special ‘markers’ that are different from the markers on our own body’s cells. This means that the
immune system can recognise that they are germs and kill them. We often feel sick for a few days or a few weeks
while this is happening.

Parts of the immune system

The immune system has many different ways to protect the body against disease. Some of the parts include those
listed below.
zz White blood cells are living cells in the blood. Often, the number of white blood cells found in a blood test
can give information about someone’s immune system. The two main types of white blood cells in the immune
system are neutrophils and lymphocytes.
zz Antibodies or immunoglobulins recognise the germs that have come into the body, and can bind (stick)
to them. There are five types: immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin D (IgD), immunoglobulin E (IgE),
immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM).
zz The complement system is made up of other proteins that float in the blood. These proteins work with
(complement) other parts of the immune system to help kill germs or cells infected by germs. Normally, the body
controls when complement is activated, so it does not attack the body itself.

When the immune system does not work properly

Sometimes the immune system does not work as expected and can cause problems. For example, sometimes the
immune system cannot recognise the body’s own cells and may attack them as if they were invaders like germs.

Glomerulonephritis | Page 5
 Tests and diagnosis
Your child will need some tests to diagnose (or identify) glomerulonephritis and find out whether he or she needs
any treatment. Your child may need an examination, including measurement of blood pressure, urine tests,
blood tests, imaging tests and a kidney biopsy.

Examination The blood test results can give the doctor more information,
including:
Your doctor will talk to you or your child about their
symptoms and any medicines that he or she takes. The zz about the immune system, and whether there has
doctor will examine your child – for example, to see been a recent infection
whether they have oedema (swelling in their body). zz how well his or her kidneys are working – this is
Your doctor or nurse will check your child’s blood pressure. called the kidney function
This is because glomerulonephritis may cause high blood zz the amount of protein in your child’s blood – in
pressure (hypertension). glomerulonephritis, the kidneys leak protein into urine
and this is sometimes enough to affect how much is
in the blood
Urine tests
zz the amount of other substances and of types of blood
If your child has symptoms of glomerulonephritis, such as
cells
red or brown urine, your doctor may arrange a urine test.
You, or a nurse, will need to collect some of your child’s
urine in a small, clean container for a urine test. Imaging tests
A dipstick will be dipped into the urine – this is a strip Some children need imaging tests (scans). These use
with chemical pads that change colour depending on special equipment to get images (pictures) of the inside of
what substances are in the urine. This shows whether their body.
there are blood cells and/or protein, which are signs of zz Ultrasound scan – looks at the shape and size
glomerulonephritis. The sample may also be sent to a of kidneys and other parts of the urinary system. A
laboratory for more accurate tests. small handheld device is moved around your child’s
skin and uses sound waves to create an image on a
screen.
Blood tests
zz Chest x-ray – for children with breathing problems,
A small amount of blood will be taken from a vein, with
this test checks for any fluid (liquid) around the lungs,.
a needle and syringe, for a blood test. A special gel or
Your child sits or lies still for a few seconds while a
cream can be used to help your child stop feeling any pain.
machine takes x-ray images.
Occasionally, other imaging tests are needed.

Tests: Read more about blood tests

A blood test can check whether there are any Electrolytes are important chemicals in the body. We
antibodies – the body’s immune system makes these need the right balance of these to stay healthy. Some
special proteins to identify and kill specific germs. important electrolytes include the following:
This gives information about whether there has been zz sodium helps balance the amount of water in the
an infection, and sometimes which germ caused it. body
Antibodies can also cause problems if they get trapped
in the glomeruli. zz potassium is needed for the muscles, including
the heart muscle, to work properly
Urea and creatinine are chemicals that are made in
the body. They are waste products and are normally zz bicarbonate balances the amount of acid in our
removed by the kidneys into urine. In glomerulonephritis, body, or the pH balance (also called the acid–base
these may build up in the blood. balance)
The kidney function can be measured with the zz phosphate is important for bones, teeth and
glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The GFR is the muscles
amount of fluid (liquid) the kidneys filter each minute. It
zz calcium is important for bones and teeth, helps
can be estimated by measuring the amount of creatinine
blood to clot and also helps the muscles, including
in the blood.
the heart muscle, to work.
Children with glomerulonephritis lose protein in their
The numbers of different types of blood cells can be
urine. Some children lose a lot of protein, which means
measured in a full blood count. A full blood count
there is less protein in their blood. Albumin is one type
of protein in the blood – because it is small, albumin is (FBC) counts the numbers of different types of blood
more likely to leak through the glomeruli. cells – a higher or lower level of these may be a sign of
infections or other health problems.

Glomerulonephritis | Page 6
Kidney biopsy
A few children need a kidney biopsy. A tiny piece of A kidney biopsy can give more information about how
one kidney is removed from the body with a needle, and much damage there is in your child’s kidney, and confirm
examined under microscopes. Special medicines are used which type of glomerulonephritis he or she has. It can take
so your child does not feel any pain or can sleep through a few weeks to get the results.
the procedure.

Treatment
Many children with glomerulonephritis do not need any treatment, but will be monitored by a healthcare team.
Some children need to make changes to what they eat or drink, or take medicines – for example, to control their
blood pressure, reduce swelling in their body or treat infections.
Some types of glomerulonephritis are caused by problems with the immune system. These children may need to
take medicines that suppress the immune system, or make it less active.
A small number of children will need further treatment if their kidney function gets worse, such as medicines or
dialysis, which uses special equipment to remove waste from the body.
If another condition is causing glomerulonephritis, this will be treated.
Î is important that your child follows any treatment plan outlined by your doctor.
ÎIt

Where will my child be treated? Staying in hospital

Your child will be looked after by a paediatrician, a doctor Children with serious glomerulonephritis or complications
who treats babies, children and young people. may need to be treated in hospital. This is usually needed
if:
Your child may be referred to a paediatric renal unit, a
specialised unit that treats babies, children and young zz your child has severe swelling in the body (oedema),
people with kidney conditions and may be in a different especially if there is a lot of fluid around their lungs
hospital to your own. He or she will be looked after by a that makes them breathless
team, including a paediatric nephrologist, a doctor who zz your child has very high blood pressure
treats children with kidney problems. (hypertension)
zz your child’s kidneys have stopped working properly –
Visiting the hospital during the day this is called acute kidney injury
Most children with glomerulonephritis have care as
zz your child needs to take medicines, but is not able to
outpatients. This means that they visit the hospital during
take them.
the day and can go home.

Treatment: Read more about hospital stay and the healthcare team

A team of healthcare professionals will: zz renal nurse – a nurse who cares for children with
zz check your child’s kidney function (how well his or kidney problems
her kidneys are working) zz paediatric dietitian – a professional who advises
zz measure how much your child is drinking and how what your child should eat and drink during
much urine he or she is passing different stages of a kidney condition
zz test your child’s urine with a dipstick zz renal social worker – a professional who supports
you and your family, especially with any concerns
zz check your child’s blood pressure about money, travel and housing related to looking
zz weigh your child to help find out if he or she has too after your child with kidney disease
much or too little fluid in their body. zz renal psychologist – a healthcare professional
Your child’s healthcare team may include: who supports your child and family, especially with
zz paediatric nephrologist – a doctor who treats emotional stresses and strains from having or look
children with kidney problems after a child with kidney disease
zz radiologist – a healthcare professional who uses zz play specialist – a professional who uses dolls
imaging tests to help identify a condition and other toys to help your child prepare for
procedures, such as blood tests

Glomerulonephritis | Page 7
Changes to eating and drinking Your doctor will work out the amount of medicine (the
dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on
Your child may need to make temporary changes to what the medicine label.
he or she eats – for example, less salt and less of certain
foods. He or she may also need to drink less fluid, such as »»Read more about giving steroids and
water, squash and soft drinks. immunosuppressants on next page
Your doctor, nurse or a paediatric dietitian will help you
and your child make these changes. Plasma exchange
Antibodies are proteins that are part of the immune
Treating complications system and, in some types of glomerulonephritis, they
harm the kidneys. Plasma exchange, which is also
Controlling blood pressure called plasmapheresis, is a procedure that removes
Children with glomerulonephritis may have high blood antibodies from the blood. It may be used if your child’s
pressure (hypertension). Their blood pressure will need glomerulonephritis is getting worse.
to be controlled so it is in a healthy range.
If your child has hypertension, he or she may need to Managing reduced kidney
change what they eat and drink. Some children need to function
take medicines.
For some children, the kidneys do not work as well as
Reducing oedema normal during this illness – they have reduced kidney
function. The severity of this varies, but most do not need
Very occasionally, children with glomerulonephritis need to any special treatment and their kidney function will return
take diuretics, medicines that help reduce oedema. to normal.
Diuretics work on the kidneys to increase the amount of A very small number will have more serious kidney
water and salt they remove from the body in urine. problems and will need further treatment. This may include
If your child is taking diuretics, he or she will need to go dialysis, which uses special equipment or a machine to
to follow-up appointments. Your doctor will examine your ‘clean’ the blood, removing waste products and extra water
child for oedema and measure his or her weight. This and salts.
helps find out how well the medicine is working.
Common diuretics are: furosemide, spironolactone and Questions to ask the doctor or
metolazone. Some of the other diuretics that may be used
are: amiloride, bendroflumethiazide and chlorothiazide. nurse
zz What treatment will my child need?
Suppressing the immune system zz How will this help my child?
Some types of glomerulonephritis are caused by a problem zz How can I help my child prepare for procedures and
with the immune system, which normally protects the treatments?
body against disease and infection. zz If the first treatment does not work in my child, what
Medicines may be used that suppress the immune happens next?
system – they make it less active so it does not harm zz How will I know if we need to go back to the hospital
the kidneys. These medicines are called steroids and or see the doctor?
immunosuppressants. They are usually taken by mouth
zz Will the glomerulonephritis come back? How will I
– as tablets, capsules or liquid medicine.
know?

Treatment: Read more about plasma exchange

Plasma is the liquid or watery part of blood. It helps zz Your child’s blood cells are added to a plasma
carry blood cells, protein and other substances around substitute – this is either plasma or a protein
the body. called albumin from a donor.
Each plasma exchange takes about 2–3 hours and is zz This is returned to your child’s body through the
done in hospital. Children will usually need more than catheter.
one exchange.
zz As blood is taken from your child and returned
zz A catheter, which is a flexible tube, is inserted into to them at the same rate, only a small amount of
one of the large veins in their neck. Your child’s blood is outside their body at any time.
blood is taken from their body through the catheter. Your child’s doctor or nurse will give you more
zz Using special equipment, your child’s blood is information about plasma exchange and how you and
separated into two parts: their plasma and some your child can prepare for it.
other substances, including the harmful antibodies;
and their blood cells.

Glomerulonephritis | Page 8
 Treatment: Read more about steroids and immunosuppressants

ÎÎ It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about when and how much to give.
Continue to give the medicine to your child as your doctor has told you, even if he or she is getting
better.

Vaccines stomach – your doctor may give your child some

medicine to treat this
It is important that your child has the vaccines
(immunisations) that he or she needs to reduce the risk zz behavioural problems – you may find that your
of some diseases. Speak with your doctor about these – child is more likely to have tantrums, be moody,
some vaccines are not safe to give while a child is taking feel depressed, have difficulty sleeping or have
steroids or immunosuppressants. nightmares
Your child should have the flu vaccine each year. zz weight gain and larger appetite – you can help by
making sure your child has lots of physical activity
Infections and eats fruits, vegetables and low-calorie food,
rather than food that is high in calories (such
Children taking these medicines are more likely to get as cakes, biscuits, sweets and crisps), and by
infections. Speak with your doctor or nurse, and your reducing the portion size
child’s teacher or daycare manager, about how you can
zz high blood pressure (hypertension) – your child’s
help prevent infection. Contact your doctor straight away blood pressure will be regularly checked, and if it is
if your child: too high, will need to be controlled by eating a no-
zz has been in contact with someone who has chicken added salt diet or taking medicines
pox (if they have not had this illness before) or There may, sometimes, be other side-effects that are
measles (if they have not had the MMR vaccine,
not listed above. If you notice anything unusual and are
which protects against measles, mumps and
rubella); or concerned, contact your doctor.

zz is unwell and you are worried about an infection. Side-effects of long-term use of steroids
If your child does get an infection, he or she may need
zz Steroids can slow growth and affect puberty. They
to take an antibiotic medicine, which kills the germs that
can also cause growth of body hair and irregular
cause infection. Your child must take the medicine for
periods in girls. Your doctor will check your
the number of days that the doctor has told you, or until
child’s growth and development. If you have any
all of the medicine has been taken.
concerns, talk to your doctor.
»»Medicines for Children: zz All steroid medicines, including prednisolone, may
General advice about antibiotics affect the adrenal glands so that they produce
less of a hormone called cortisol when the body is
Side-effects you need to do something stressed (e.g. during illness or injury). This means
that your child may have more difficulty fighting off
about an infection, or may recover less quickly from injury
We use medicines to help children get better, but or after surgery. If your child is unwell and you are
sometimes they have effects we do not want worried about an infection, contact your doctor
– side-effects. straight away.
Contact your doctor straight away if your child has any zz Your child’s skin may become thinner, and heal
of the following while on steroid medicines: more slowly than usual. Acne (spots) may become
worse, or your child may develop mouth ulcers or
zz fever (temperature above 38°C), with a sore throat thrush (candidiasis). If you are concerned, contact
or a cough your doctor.
zz a rash or severe bruising zz Your child may develop problems with their
zz bad stomach pain or repeated vomiting – hip bones, or their bones may become weaker
sometimes steroids can cause ulcers in the (osteoporosis). The muscles around their hips and
stomach shoulders may also become weaker. If your child
has any difficulty walking or moving around, contact
Other side-effects your doctor.
Other side-effects that affect some children are below – zz Occasionally, steroids cause diabetes. If your child
speak with your doctor or nurse if you are concerned or seems more thirsty than normal, needs to pass
need more support: urine (wee) often, or starts wetting the bed at night,
zz nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and/or indigestion contact your doctor.
(heartburn) due to irritation to the lining of the

Glomerulonephritis | Page 9
 About the future
Your healthcare team will speak with you and your child about any long-term effects your child might have with
glomerulonephritis. Most children fully recover from this disease. Some will need further care.

Follow up further care. They will need to go back to the hospital or

clinic for regular follow-up appointments.
Children who have been treated for glomerulonephritis
have follow-up appointments throughout their childhood. It If this happens to your child, you will learn more over time
is important to go to these appointments even if your child about how to help manage the condition, and what to
seems well. You will also have the opportunity to ask any expect.
questions. At these appointments, your child may have: »»More about CKD on www.infoKID.org.uk
zz his or her height and weight checked
zz a physical examination Impact on your child and your
zz urine tests – to check for blood, protein and other family
substances in his or her urine
Children who have been successfully treated for
zz blood tests – to check for the amount of protein and glomerulonephritis can usually do the things that other
other substances in his or her blood, and measure children their age do. They should be able to continue
his or her kidney function going to school or nursery. They can play with other
zz his or her blood pressure measured. children and stay active.

Living healthily
Long-term effects
Your child can help protect his or her kidneys by leading a
Mild disease healthy lifestyle through their child and adult years. This
includes:
For many children with glomerulonephritis, the disease is
quite mild and they will get better after treatment. When zz eating a healthy diet – with at least five servings of
the disease goes away, this is called remission. These fruit and vegetables a day, taking care not to eat too
children will usually have no more kidney problems in much salt, sugar and fats (especially saturated fats)
childhood. zz getting plenty of exercise
zz not smoking
Further care
If your child needs more treatment, or if their Further support
glomerulonephritis keeps coming back, your doctor This can be a difficult and stressful experience for your
will monitor them over a long period of time. If the child and the whole family, including other children.
glomerulonephritis is caused by another condition, this will
need to be treated. ÎÎIf you have any concerns or need additional
support, speak with your doctor or nurse.
Acute kidney injury
Children with glomerulonephritis are at risk for acute Further information
kidney injury (AKI) – when the kidneys suddenly stop This is the end of the information on glomerulonephritis –
working. Some children with AKI get better after a few overview. If you would like to read more about other kidney
weeks, and some need to take medicines or have more conditions, tests and diagnosis, treatment or supporting
intensive treatment. information, you can find a list of topics covered on the
»»More about AKI on www.infoKID.org.uk infoKID website at www.infoKID.org.uk.

Long-term problems
A few children develop long-term problems with their
kidneys. Their kidneys stop working as well as they should
– this happens slowly, often over many years. This is called
chronic kidney disease (CKD). These children may need

Glomerulonephritis | Page 10
 Your notes and contact information

www.infoKID.org.uk

© BAPN and Kidney Care UK 2013-2022, all rights reserved

For details on any sources of information used in this topic, please contact us through our website www.infoKID.org.uk.
We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, it is important that
you ask the advice of your child’s doctor or nurse if you are not sure about something. This information is intended for
use in the United Kingdom, and may not apply to other countries.
The British Association of Paediatric Nephrology (BAPN), Kidney Care UK and the contributors and editors
cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions
that may be taken as a consequence of reading this information.