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Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis

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Pediatric Kidney Disease

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Abstract

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) is characterized by clinical features of glomerulonephritis (GN) and rapid loss of renal function. Histology shows crescentic extracapillary proliferation in Bowman space affecting the majority of glomeruli. A rapidly progressive illness may occur in any form of GN including postinfectious GN, renal vasculitis, IgA nephropathy and membranoproliferative GN. The combination of renal histology and serological investigations enables diagnosis of the underlying etiology. Guidelines for therapy of RPGN have chiefly been adapted from studies in adults. Apart from renal replacement therapy and supportive care, specific therapy comprises a combination of high dose IV followed by tapering oral corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive medications. Patients with underlying systemic vasculitis and anti-GBM crescentic glomerulonephritis benefit from prompt plasma exchanges. Outcomes in patients with RPGN depend on the underlying cause and the promptness of institution of therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India

    Arvind Bagga

  2. Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA

    Shina Menon (Assistant Professor)

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  1. Arvind Bagga
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  2. Shina Menon
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Correspondence to Arvind Bagga .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nephrology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Denis F. Geary

  2. Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    Franz Schaefer

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Bagga, A., Menon, S. (2016). Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis. In: Geary, D., Schaefer, F. (eds) Pediatric Kidney Disease. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-52972-0_22

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-52972-0_22

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