Pediatric IgA Nephropathy Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Mohammad Ilyas, MD, FAAP; Chief Editor: Craig B Langman, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 3, 2010
 

History

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) is characterized by recurrent episodes of macroscopic hematuria accompanied by upper respiratory tract infections or persistent asymptomatic microscopic hematuria with or without proteinuria. IgA nephropathy is frequently classified as primary (idiopathic) or secondary (associated with some other known condition).

Primary IgA nephropathy

Although the clinical presentation of IgA nephropathy varies from asymptomatic urinary abnormalities to acute renal failure, 5 different clinical syndromes are generally recognized.

The most common presentation (approximately 60-80%) of IgA nephropathy is asymptomatic microscopic urinary abnormalities with one or more episodes of intermittent gross hematuria. The recurrent macroscopic hematuria often associated with upper respiratory infection (viral pharyngitis) is traditionally regarded as the hallmark of childhood IgA nephropathy, compared with poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN), in which hematuria usually occurs 1-2 weeks after infection. The hematuria is usually painless, but loin pain has been reported. Blood pressure may be within the reference range or elevated. Renal clearance function is within the reference range or reduced.

The second most common presentation (approximately 26%) is asymptomatic microscopic hematuria with or without mild proteinuria, hypertension, or reduced renal clearance function.

Acute nephritic presentation (approximately 12%) with heavy proteinuria, normal or low clearance function, and normal or high blood pressure is the third most common presentation.

Nephrotic syndrome may be the initial presentation in as many as 10% of patients.

Rarely, IgA nephrology may present as an acute crescentic glomerulonephritis with oliguria, edema, and hypertension.

Secondary IgA nephropathy

When renal mesangial IgA deposition occurs because of another specific clinical condition (secondary IgA nephrology), the history of that disease or signs and symptoms related to the primary condition may be present.

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Physical

In the early stages of primary IgA nephropathy, no physical signs may be observed. However, early diagnosis might be suggested by a urinalysis that reveals microscopic hematuria with or without proteinuria.

Hypertension is infrequent, is mild to moderate, and is usually a late presentation of disease.

Edema due to nephrosis is reported in approximately 10% of patients.

If renal function is compromised at presentation, the patients may have signs of uremic syndrome, anemia, pallor, and lethargy.

If IgA nephrology is secondary to underlying disease, such Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the signs and symptoms of that specific primary disease may be apparent.

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Causes

The cause of primary IgA nephropathy is unknown. The conditions producing secondary mesangial IgA deposition include the following:

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Mohammad Ilyas, MD, FAAP  Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Nephrology, Wolfson Children Hospital and Shands Hospital Jacksonville

Mohammad Ilyas, MD, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American Society of Nephrology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Richard Neiberger, MD, PhD  Director of Pediatric Renal Stone Disease Clinic, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, University of Florida College of Medicine and Shands Hospital

Richard Neiberger, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation for Medical Research, American Medical Association, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, Christian Medical & Dental Society, Florida Medical Association, International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis, International Society of Nephrology, National Kidney Foundation, New York Academy of Sciences, Shock Society, Sigma Xi, Southern Medical Association, Southern Society for Pediatric Research, and Southwest Pediatric Nephrology Study Group

Disclosure: The Osler Institute Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Specialty Editor Board

Deogracias Pena, MD  Medical Director of Dialysis, Department of Pediatrics, Cook Children's Medical Center; Clinical Associate Professor, Texas Tech University School of Medicine

Deogracias Pena, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, and American Society of Pediatric Nephrology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Adrian Spitzer, MD  Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Director of NIH Training Program, Children's Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center

Adrian Spitzer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Federation for Medical Research, American Pediatric Society, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, International Society of Nephrology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Howard Trachtman, MD  Program Director, Pediatrics Research, Schneider Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, Professor, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Howard Trachtman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Hypertension, American Society of Nephrology, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Craig B Langman, MD  The Isaac A Abt, MD, Professor of Kidney Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Division Head of Kidney Diseases, Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago

Craig B Langman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society of Nephrology, and International Society of Nephrology

Disclosure: Merck Grant/research funds None; NIH Grant/research funds None; Raptor Pharmaceuticals, Inc Grant/research funds None; Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Grant/research funds None

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Glomerulus with mesangial hypercellularity and intact capillary loops. Trichrome Stain, original magnification 400x. Image courtesy of Patrick D Walker, MD.
Mesangial deposits of immunoglobulin A (IgA). Fluoresceinated Anti-IgA Antibody, Immunofluorescence microscopy, original magnification 400x. Image courtesy of Patrick D Walker, MD.
Electron photomicrograph showing mesangial electron dense deposits (arrow). Uranyl acetate and lead citrate stain, original magnification 12,000x. Image courtesy of Patrick D Walker, MD.
 
 
 
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