Rapidly progressive IgA nephropathy
T. R. Welch, A. J. McAdams and A. Berry
Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, OH.
Five children had rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, determined by
biopsy specimen and terminating in end-stage renal disease. All had
mesangial deposition of IgA and C3 in the pattern typically seen with IgA
nephropathy (Berger's disease). These children ranged in age from 7 to 13
years; four were boys. Severe hypertension was present in all, and three
had a nephrotic syndrome. Other than hypertension and findings related to
renal insufficiency or nephrotic syndrome, no clinical or laboratory
finding was a consistent marker distinguishing these patients from those
with uncomplicated IgA nephropathy, and no therapy proved useful in halting
the rapid decline in renal function. The disease has not recurred in the
kidney transplant of any of the five children.
