Nephrotic syndrome refers to a group of symptoms that occur when the kidneys aren’t working correctly. Symptoms may include protein in the urine, low levels of albumin in the blood, swelling, and high cholesterol.
Nephrotic syndrome occurs when the kidneys' filtering system is inflamed, allowing protein to leak into your urine.
The experts at UPMC treat all types of kidney disease. Our team will find the cause of your condition and develop a treatment plan to manage your symptoms and reduce your risk of complications.
Nephrotic syndrome refers to symptoms that happen when your kidneys aren’t working properly.
Symptoms may include:
Nephrotic syndrome occurs when the kidneys' filtering system is inflamed, allowing protein to leak into the urine.
Nephrotic syndrome is classified into several types based on the cause and the age at which symptoms appear.
In adults and children, types classified by cause include:
In children, types are classified by the age when symptoms begin:
Nephrotic syndrome can be caused by kidney disease (primary nephrotic syndrome), other diseases that affect the entire body (secondary nephrotic syndrome), or gene mutations that are inherited at birth (congenital nephrotic syndrome).
Primary nephrotic syndrome is caused by conditions that only affect the kidneys, including:
Secondary nephrotic syndrome may be caused by conditions that affect the entire body, including:
Congenital nephrotic syndrome is a rare condition that is present at birth. It is caused by a gene mutation inherited from the parent(s) or an infection during pregnancy. Symptoms usually develop in the first weeks or months of life.
You may be at risk of nephrotic syndrome if you have kidney disease, a condition that may cause secondary nephrotic syndrome, or a family history of the condition.
Infants with a biological parent who has nephrotic syndrome or a mother who developed an infection during her pregnancy may be at risk for congenital nephrotic syndrome.
Nephrotic syndrome can cause serious complications in children and adults, including:
There is nothing you can do to prevent nephrotic syndrome.
Nephrotic syndrome is a rare condition. It is estimated to affect one to three out of 100,000 children worldwide, with most cases occurring in children between the ages of 2 and 5. It occurs in about three out of every 100,000 adults each year.
Swelling in the face, feet, ankles, arms, or abdomen (belly) is the most common symptom of nephrotic syndrome.
Other symptoms may include:
If you have symptoms of nephrotic syndrome, or if your symptoms are getting worse after you receive a nephrotic syndrome diagnosis, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor right away.
Your doctor will perform a physical exam, talk to you about your health history, and order tests to diagnose nephrotic syndrome.
During your visit, your doctor will:
Your doctor may order blood, urine, or other tests to diagnose nephrotic syndrome.
Blood tests include:
Urine tests include:
Your doctor may order other tests to find the cause of your nephrotic syndrome. Other less common tests include:
Nephrotic syndrome prognosis varies depending on the type you have, the cause, the severity of symptoms, and your age. Some people respond well to nephrotic syndrome treatment, while others develop kidney failure and need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
For some people, nephrotic syndrome can be serious and cause long-lasting complications and kidney damage that lowers their life expectancy. However, after successfully treating the condition that is causing nephrotic syndrome, other people live normal lives with an average life expectancy.
Although there is no cure for nephrotic syndrome, the underlying cause may be treatable. In many cases, treatment can effectively control the condition and reduce the risk of complications.
Nephrotic syndrome can be life-threatening. If left untreated or if symptoms are severe, it may cause kidney failure — a life-threatening condition that can only be treated with dialysis or a kidney transplant.
There's no cure for nephrotic syndrome. However, the goals of treatment are to:
Your nephrotic syndrome treatments may change over time as your condition progresses, and treatments may be lifelong.
Treatment options include:
Improving your overall health may help to slow the progression of nephrotic syndrome or reduce your risk of complications. Your doctor may recommend that you:
Depending on the cause of your condition and your symptoms, your doctor may recommend:
If your nephrotic syndrome progresses to end-stage kidney disease or kidney failure — which is defined as having less than 15% of your normal kidney function — it can cause toxic waste to build up in your body. You may need to have dialysis, also called renal replacement therapy, to filter and clean your blood.
During dialysis, a machine cleans waste from your blood and helps control your blood pressure.
There are two common types of dialysis:
If you have end-stage kidney disease, dialysis is a lifesaving treatment option. Without it, toxins and fluid would build up in your body and cause death within days or weeks.
However, for most people, dialysis is only a short-term treatment. In time, you may need a kidney transplant.
Although dialysis treatments are lifesaving for many people, they can be hard and sometimes painful for others.
For people with advanced kidney disease who want to avoid dialysis treatment, renal supportive care can offer hope and comfort.
Supportive care aims to:
If you have nephrotic syndrome that has caused kidney failure, a kidney transplant may be the key to getting you back to your healthy life.
You should talk to your doctor about whether a kidney transplant is an option for you. We partner with UPMC kidney transplant experts to provide care before, during, and after the transplant.
When you choose UPMC for nephrotic syndrome care, you will receive:
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-04-24.
