Congenital nephrotic syndrome is a rare, inherited disorder in which a baby develops protein in the urine and the swelling of the body occurs, shortly after birth. Protein nephrin, found in the kidney, is required by the glomeruli (kidney's filter) to function properly. Congenital nephrotic syndrome occurs due to a defect in this protein, nephrin. As a result, your child may suffer from infection, malnutrition and kidney failure. It can also get fatal by the age of five, if not treated successfully. The disorder is most common in families of Finnish origin.

Nephrotic syndrome can also occur in the first three months of a baby's life and belongs to the same group of disorders as congenital nephrotic syndrome.

When to seek expert advise

If you notice swelling in your baby's body along with a foamy appearance of urine, seek medical guidance by one of our internationally trained paediatric nephrologists at the Department of Paediatrics at The Aga Khan University Hospital.

Disclaimer

The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.