genitourinary disorders
Minimal Change Disease
Diagnosis of Minimal Change Disease
In adults with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, renal biopsy In children, the diagnosis can be suspected (and treatment begun) based on the following typical characteristics: Sudden onset of unexplained nephrotic-range proteinuria that is mainlyalbumin Normal renal function Non-nephritic urine sediment Renal biopsy is required in adults and in children with atypical presentations. Electron microscopy demonstrates edema with diffuse swelling (effacement) of foot processes of the epithelial podocytes (see figure Electron microscopic features in immunologic glomerular disorders ). Complement and Ig deposits are absent on immunofluorescence. Although effacement is not observed in the absence of proteinuria, heavy proteinuria may occur with normal foot processes. 