Acute Glomerulonephritis
If you review the anatomy of urinary system you will recall that nephron is the working unit of kidney and its number exists in millions. Within the bulb of each nephron lies a cluster of capillaries called the glomerulus and it is these structures that are affected. Hence glomeruonephritis is defined as a diffuse, non-suppurative inflammation of the glomeruli of the kidney. It is said to be an antigen antibody reaction to an infection in the body. It is most common in children between three and seven years of age and is more common in males than in females. It has a seasonal incidence with peak in winter and spring.
We will discuss minimal leison glomerulo nephirtis here since it is commonest form of nephrosis that occurs in children.
Nephrosis is more common in males than in females and majority of case occur between 5 and 15 years of age.
Etiology
It occurs secondarily to sore throat or upper respiratory infection and skin infection caused by group A beta-haemolytic streptococci. Nephritis may occur from one to three weeks after the onset of streptococcal infection.