Glomerulonephritis

Types & Causes

There are several types of glomerulonephritis; some are more serious and long-term than others. It may be acute (short-lived) and chronic (long-lived). The acute form, which develops suddenly, can be caused by an infection in the throat or on the skin. The chronic form may develop silently over several years without causing trouble.

Acute glomerulonephritis, commonly found in children of ages 6 to 10 is linked to streptococcal infection of throat or upper respiratory itract,. This is referred to as Acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis. Mesangial glomerulonephritis is related to immune-system abnormalities involving a type of antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA). It can cause red blood cells to spill into the urine, but rarely causes high blood pressure, leg swelling or kidney failure. In Membranous glomerulonephritis, the glomeruli leak large amounts of protein into the urine from the blood.