Differential Diagnosis for High Proteinuria in a 7yo Female
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Minimal Change Disease: This is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children, characterized by high levels of proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema. It is often responsive to corticosteroid therapy.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS): A common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children, FSGS can present with high proteinuria and is often more resistant to treatment than minimal change disease.
- Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis (PSGN): An immune-mediated condition that can occur after a streptococcal infection, PSGN can cause proteinuria, hematuria, and renal dysfunction.
- IgA Nephropathy: Also known as Berger's disease, IgA nephropathy is a common cause of kidney disease in children and can present with proteinuria, hematuria, and recurrent abdominal pain.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed)
- Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS): A condition characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury, HUS can cause proteinuria and is often associated with E. coli infections.
- Alport Syndrome: A genetic disorder that affects the type IV collagen in the kidneys, Alport syndrome can cause proteinuria, hematuria, and progressive kidney disease.
- Lupus Nephritis: A complication of systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus nephritis can cause proteinuria, hematuria, and renal dysfunction.
- Rare diagnoses
- Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (MPGN): A rare condition characterized by the deposition of immune complexes in the glomeruli, MPGN can cause proteinuria, hematuria, and renal dysfunction.
- Nephropathic Cystinosis: A rare genetic disorder that affects the kidneys and other organs, nephropathic cystinosis can cause proteinuria, renal dysfunction, and growth retardation.
- Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome: A group of rare genetic disorders that cause proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema in infancy or early childhood.