When a child has nephrotic syndrome, they may have other symptoms, including swelling and pale skin. To diagnose nephrotic syndrome, your child will need to have a urine test and blood test to determine if kidney function is impaired or if there is any other disease present. Your health care professional may also perform a kidney biopsy to ensure the condition is truly nephrotic syndrome.
There is no specific cure for nephrotic syndrome. Most children outgrow it by late childhood or early adulthood. Some children will only have one episode, but if they don’t get sick again for at least three years, they will be cured. Other children may be diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome for the first time as an adult, and there is no cure for it. But if you’ve diagnosed your child with nephrotic syndrome, there are some precautions you can take to minimize the symptoms and the likelihood of a relapse.
The first step in treating nephrotic syndrome in children is to stop protein leakage from the kidneys. Steroids such as Prednisone are commonly prescribed to control the symptoms. Most children respond to steroids within four to eight weeks, but if the condition does not improve with steroids, your child may need to undergo a biopsy. This test will allow your doctor to determine the cause of protein leakage and determine a more accurate diagnosis.
