Glomerulonephritis

[Oralee]

Glomerulonephritis is a disorder of glomeruli (clusters of microscopic blood vessels in the kidneys with small pores through which blood is filtered). It is characterized by body tissue swelling (edema), high blood pressure, and the presence of red blood cells in the urine.

Glomerulonephritis can be caused by various disorders, such as infections, an inherited genetic disorder, or autoimmune disorders.
Diagnosis is based on tests of blood and urine and sometimes imaging tests, a biopsy of the kidneys, or both.
People often need to restrict salt and protein intake and take diuretics or antibiotics until kidney function improves.

(See also Overview of Kidney Filtering Disorders.)
Glomerulonephritis can be

Acute: Develops over a short time
Chronic: Develops and progresses slowly

In 1% of children and 10% of adults who have acute glomerulonephritis, it evolves into rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, in which most of the glomeruli are destroyed, resulting in kidney failure.