complications

Last reviewed 02/2022

The complications of nephrotic syndrome include:

• renal vein thrombosis
• arterial thrombosis
• infection:
• patients with nephrotic syndrome are prone to infection with all organisms but especially pneumococcus, particularly pneumococcal peritonitis
• susceptibility due to loss of IgG and alternative pathway complement components in the urine
• any infection should be treated early with intravenous broad spectrum bactericidal antibiotics
• hypovolaemic shock and acute renal failure, with signs of severe renal hypoperfusion leading to temporary oliguria and increasing uraemia:
• management involves volume replacement followed by diuretics
• there is a strong case for the administration of antibiotics to cover the possibility that the hypoperfusion may be a result of septicaemia
• a few patients may deteriorate and require dialysis

• iron deficiency due to loss of transferrin and iron

• muscle wasting

• accelerated atherosclerosis