Summary
The nephrotic syndrome is defined as proteinuria $>$3.5 g/dL, hypoalbuminemia, edema, hyperlipidemia, and lipiduria. While there are a myriad of causes, the complications result from the severity of the proteinuria. Complications include atherosclerosis, vascular thrombosis, anasarca, infection, nutritional depletion, and progressive kidney injury. Reducing the proteinuria is critical. When specific therapy targeting the underlying etiology fails, blocking the renin-angiotensin system will reduce the proteinuria, enhanced by concomitant moderate protein restriction. Plant sources of protein may offer additional benefit in reducing proteinuria and hyperlipidemia. Vitamin D, iron, and zinc deficiency may occur due to urinary loss of carrier proteins and are treated with appropriate dietary supplementation.
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© 2008 Humana Press, Totowa, NJ
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Yeun, J.Y., Kaysen, G.A. (2008). Nephrotic Syndrome. In: Byham-Gray, L.D., Chertow, G.M., Burrowes, J.D. (eds) Nutrition in Kidney Disease. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-032-4_20
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-032-4_20
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