How Does Pediatric Lupus Nephritis Present?
The presentation of childhood lupus nephritis can be quite variable, often few signs or symptoms exist. Children and adolescents may present with weight gain and swelling of the legs, ankles or feet (edema) that is absent in the morning but progressively gets worse throughout the day. This is the result of excessive loss of protein in the urine due to damage to the filters of the kidneys. In this setting the patient may complain that his/her urine is quite foamy and they may have to get up at night to urinate or have night time bed wetting. Children and adolescents may also have headaches/visual changes due to the development of high blood pressure. High blood pressure can be quite severe when associated with lupus nephritis reflecting damage to the kidneys and/or fluid retention. Lupus nephritis is usually not associated with pain in the back or abdomen. Diagnosis is often suggested by laboratory examination and confirmation usually requires a kidney biopsy. What Studies are done To D
