Pediatric IgA Nephropathy Follow-up
- Author: Mohammad Ilyas, MD, FAAP; Chief Editor: Craig B Langman, MD more...
Further Inpatient Care
Inpatient care is not necessary in patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN), except for complications of renal failure, hypertension, dialysis, or renal transplantation.
Further Outpatient Care
Routine follow up is important for monitoring the progression of disease.
Medications must be taken as prescribed.
A healthy diet and lifestyle is important.
Patients should avoid obesity, smoking, and other activities that negatively influence the cardiovascular system.
Inpatient & Outpatient Medications
No specific change of medication is necessary to transition from inpatient to outpatient therapy.
Transfer
No transfer is necessary.
Deterrence/Prevention
No methods for deterrence or prevention of IgA nephropathy are known.
Complications
Primary complications include those related to uncontrolled hypertension (eg, seizure, stroke, end-organ damage), renal insufficiency (eg, growth failure, bone demineralization, anemia), and adverse reactions to one of the prescribed medications.
Prognosis
IgA nephropathy may follow a variable course, ranging from benign throughout childhood to rapidly progressive renal failure.
Children with renal failure require dialysis and/or transplantation, but the prognosis for long-term survival is very good.
The severity of pathology on renal biopsy, increased serum creatinine levels at diagnosis, and younger age are significant independent predictors of renal failure.[18]
Patient Education
Inform patients about specific disease processes when possible.
Encourage patients to avoid risk factors, such as smoking, drugs, obesity, and poor medication compliance.
For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Kidneys and Urinary System Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education article Blood in the Urine.
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