What is the cause of acute glomerulonephritis in children?

Pediatric acute glomerulonephritis is a very common disease. When your child is sick, you need to pay attention to treatment because otherwise the disease will turn into chronic glomerulonephritis and seriously affect your health.

Has your baby been diagnosed with glomerulonephritis and are you feeling very worried? You do not know how to take care of your baby? If you are having questions above, please follow the following sharing of aFamilyToday Health to understand more about this disease as well as know how to take care of children appropriately.

What disease is acute glomerulonephritis in children?

The kidney is a bean-shaped organ, fist-sized, located on the sides, close to the waist. The main function of the kidneys is to filter blood, removing waste products from the body through urine. The small units that filter blood in the kidneys are called glomeruli.

 

Glomerulonephritis in children is inflammation, swelling, and irritation that causes the kidneys to not work properly. From there, the fluid will stagnate in the body, causing the child to swell the face, feet, ankles, legs ...

Causes of acute glomerulonephritis in children

The causes of glomerulonephritis are often:

Immune disorders:  lupus erythematosus (a chronic inflammatory disease that affects many parts of the body, Goodpasture syndrome (a lung immune disorder).

Viral infection: HIV virus causes immunodeficiency in humans and viruses that affect the liver such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus.

Wegener's granulomatosis: an inflammatory disease of the blood vessels in the nose, sinuses, throat, and kidneys.

Diseases affecting blood vessels:  vasculitis or Henoch Schonlein purpura .

Group A streptococcal infection (the bacteria that cause sore throats): In children, this is the most common cause.

Symptoms of acute glomerulonephritis in children

Children with acute glomerulonephritis will have different symptoms, but in general the following are the most common:

Dark brown urine (due to blood and protein contamination)

Swelling, swelling around the face, eyes, ankles, legs and abdomen, especially in the morning

Sore throat

Little urination

Tired

Shortness of breath

Headache

High Blood Pressure

Epileptic

A rash, especially in the buttocks and legs

Lost weight

Athritis

Pale skin color

The symptoms of glomerulonephritis may resemble other diseases. Therefore, if you suspect that your child may have acute glomerulonephritis, seek immediate medical attention.

Diagnosis of acute glomerulonephritis in children

In addition to getting a checkup and learning about your child's medical history, your doctor may order some of the following tests for your baby:

Throat culture

Urine test

Blood tests

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

Kidney ultrasound

Chest X-ray

Kidney biopsy

Treatment of acute glomerulonephritis in children

The treatment of glomerulonephritis for children will be indicated based on these factors:

Child's age, general health and medical history

The cause to the illness

Disease level

The child's tolerance to specific drugs, procedures, or therapies

If glomerulonephritis is caused by streptococcal infection, treatment will focus on symptoms associated with a respiratory infection. However, most treatments will focus on slowing disease progression and preventing complications.

What is the cause of acute glomerulonephritis in children?

 

 

Diet for children with acute glomerulonephritis

In addition to complying with the treatment measures required by the doctor, you should also pay attention to the child's diet to enhance the effectiveness of treatment and help the child recover quickly:

1. Eat less salt

You should give your child foods low in salt to improve and control blood pressure, limit the risk of hypertension and prevent the risk of water retention leading to swelling.

2. Water restriction

Limit too much water to the body to help control blood pressure and reduce the burden on the kidneys when the kidneys are weakened.

3. Limit eating protein-rich foods

You should pay attention to avoid giving your child foods that are too high in protein. This helps the kidneys work more efficiently. Eating less protein rich foods will reduce the workload of the kidneys, help the kidneys recover and slow down the accumulation of waste products in the blood.

Complications of acute glomerulonephritis in children

If left untreated, acute glomerulonephritis can lead to chronic kidney failure. More severe, it can lead to dangerous complications like high blood pressure or heart failure . Children may even have anuria , kidney damage, unable to filter the urine and lead to death.

Through the above sharing, hopefully you have some more useful information about acute glomerulonephritis in children. If you suspect your baby is suffering from this disease, take him to medical facilities for examination and treatment to avoid dangerous complications.

 

 

Leave a Comment

How to Teach Chores Without Redoing Every Task for Your Child

How to Teach Chores Without Redoing Every Task for Your Child

Teach kids to do chores with fewer reminders: set a clear finish line, model one task, step back, and correct only what is unsafe or unfinished.

Why a Toilet-Trained Child May Start Having Accidents Again

Why a Toilet-Trained Child May Start Having Accidents Again

Learn why toilet-trained children may start having pee or poop accidents again, what patterns to track, how to respond calmly, and when to call the pediatrician.

Why Does a Child Ask the Same Reassurance Question Repeatedly?

Why Does a Child Ask the Same Reassurance Question Repeatedly?

A child may repeat a reassurance question to process information, seek connection, or manage worry. Learn how to respond and when persistent anxiety needs support.

Screen-Time Boundaries Without Constant Battles: A Beginner’s Guide for Parents

Screen-Time Boundaries Without Constant Battles: A Beginner’s Guide for Parents

Learn how to set screen-time boundaries with predictable routines, warnings, calm follow-through, and better transitions—without turning every device handoff into a fight.

How to Teach a Child to Lose a Game Without Shame or Anger

How to Teach a Child to Lose a Game Without Shame or Anger

Teach children to handle losing without shame or explosive anger by validating feelings, setting behavior limits, modeling recovery, and practicing at the right difficulty.

When a Child Behaves Well at School but Melts Down at Home: What Parents Can Do

When a Child Behaves Well at School but Melts Down at Home: What Parents Can Do

A calm, practical plan for after-school meltdowns: reduce overload, keep limits clear, track patterns, coordinate with school, and know when to seek help.

When a Child Says “Nobody Likes Me”: How Parents Can Respond

When a Child Says “Nobody Likes Me”: How Parents Can Respond

Learn how to respond when a child feels unwanted, ask supportive questions, recognize bullying or ongoing distress, and know when to seek extra help.

How Can Siblings Share a Room When Their Sleep Schedules Differ?

How Can Siblings Share a Room When Their Sleep Schedules Differ?

Learn how to set up a shared bedroom for siblings with different bedtimes, from planning around age-based sleep needs to creating separate sleep spaces and quiet routines.

What Helps a Child Return to School After a Long Absence?

What Helps a Child Return to School After a Long Absence?

Compare full-day, gradual, and temporary at-home return plans, plus health checks and school supports that can help a child reenter safely.

When Should a Child Handle a Friendship Problem—and When Should Adults Step In?

When Should a Child Handle a Friendship Problem—and When Should Adults Step In?

Learn when a child can try to solve a friendship problem, when adults should step in, and how to tell whether support is helping or needs to change.