🧒 Who Gets It?

Nephrotic syndrome:

• Is common in children between 2 and 6 years old
• Can affect both boys and girls (but slightly more common in boys)
• May occur after a viral illness
• Is not contagious, and not caused by curses or witchcraft

📋 What Are the Symptoms?

Watch for:

• Swelling around the eyes (especially in the morning)
• Swollen feet, ankles, or belly
• Foamy or bubbly urine
• Reduced urine (less frequent urination)
• Weight gain (due to fluid, not fat)
• Tiredness or poor appetite

If untreated, it can lead to infections, blood clots, or kidney failure.

🔍 What Causes It?

In most children, the cause is Minimal Change Disease (MCD), which means the kidneys look normal under a microscope but still leak protein. The exact cause is often unknown, but it is not the parents’ fault.

In other cases, nephrotic syndrome can be caused by:

• Infections like malaria, hepatitis B, or HIV
• Certain medicines and creams especially bleaching creams
• Autoimmune diseases
• It may follow some animal bites e.g bee stings, insect bites

🏥 How is It Diagnosed?

At a health facility, your child may have:

• Urine test (shows large amounts of protein)
• Blood test (low protein, high cholesterol)
• Kidney function test
• Sometimes, a kidney biopsy (small tissue sample for testing)

💊 How is It Treated?

1. Steroid Medicine (Prednisolone):
   Most children respond well to steroids within a few weeks. Treatment usually lasts for several months.
2. Salt and Water Control:

• Reduce salt in food to manage swelling
• Monitor fluid intake, especially when swelling is severe

3. Infection Prevention:

• Children are more prone to infections. Treat infections promptly.
• Keep immunizations up to date
• Avoid crowded places when immunity is low
• See a health worker early if your child has fever, cough, or stomach pain

4. Other Medicines:
   If steroids don’t work or there are frequent relapses, the doctor may add other medications to help protect the kidneys.

🔁 Can It Come Back?

Yes. Nephrotic syndrome often goes away and comes back (relapses). Common triggers for relapse include:

• Infections (like colds)
• Stopping medicines too soon
• Stress or fatigue

Most children eventually outgrow the condition as they get older, especially if well managed.

🚨 When to Seek Help Immediately

Go to a health center or hospital if your child:

• Has trouble breathing
• Becomes very swollen or weak
• Passes very little or no urine
• Has fever, belly pain, or blood in the urine
• Has signs of a relapse (swelling, foamy urine)

❤️ Caring for a Child with Nephrotic Syndrome

• Give all medicines exactly as prescribed
• Take your child for regular follow-up visits
• Keep a record of urine test (for protein and blood). This can be done at home
• Keep a record of weight, urine output, and swelling
• Offer emotional support – relapses are common but manageable
• Avoid herbal or unverified treatments unless approved by a doctor

🧠 Important Reminders