Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is a disorder in which the kidneys excrete an abnormally high amount of protein in the urine, accompanied by swelling (edema) of primarily the feet and ankles, weight gain from fluid retention, low levels of protein in the blood and high levels of fatty substances like cholesterol and triglycerides. It results from damage to the nephrons, which are small structures in the kidneys where waste and excess water are filtered from the blood. Treating nephrotic syndrome requires identifying its individual cause in each patient and addressing that issue, with multiple medications often involved.