Signs of FSGS

FSGS, short for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, is a kind of kidney disease, the damage of which takes place in renal glomeruli. The characteristic of histopathology is renal segmental scar, with or without adhesion in renal glomerular capillaries. Focal means that there are less than 50% of renal glomeruli which are influenced. Segmental means that there are partial leaflets are influenced. Glomerulosclerosis means that the whole renal glomeruli show hyaline change or scar. FSGS mostly takes place in children and youngsters, and generally, men are more than women. Few of them have got infected or had allergic reaction.
The initial symptom of FSGS is Nephrotic Syndrome in clinic. About two thirds of them have a large amount of proteinuria and serious swelling. The detailed signs are as follows:
1. Protein in urine is the first signs of FSGS.
The amount of protein can be as high as 1 to 30g per day.
The presence of protein in the urine could cause it to appear foamy. Sometimes no symptoms are experienced but protein is detected in the urine during a routine check. When large amounts of protein are lost in the urine and excess fluid causes the ankles to swell, this is known as Nephrotic Syndrome, a condition which can be caused by a number of kidney diseases.
2. About half of them have hematuria, most of which is microscopic hematuria. Gross hematuria is rarely seen.
3. Symptoms of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis can also include loss of appetite, swollen ankles, fluid retention and increased weight.
Besides these, we can also divide the symptoms according to the age: Adult FSGS and Children FSGS.
Adult FSGS:
It is reported that about 60% of cellular FSGS have creatinine which is more than 2mg/dl. But typical FSGS patients who have increased creatinine can only account for 10%.
Children FSGS:
The clinical manifestations of Children FSGS are similar with those of Adult FSGS, the main signs of which are Nephrotic Syndrome. Compared with adults, the rate of high blood pressure and renal failure is lower. Most of Children FSGS develops slowly, which leads to renal failure at last. A few of them develop at a rapid speed into renal failure. If FSGS is treated timely, their condition can be reversible.