A 5-year-old child suffering from nephrotic syndrome is responding well to steroid therapy. What would be the most likely finding on light microscopy –
High-Yield Explanation
Minimal change disease
Minimal Change Disease is the most common cause of Nephrotic syndrome in children.
Oedema and Selective proteinuria are features of the nephrotic syndrome. Fever may be present on account of increased susceptibility to infection.
Minimal change disease presents with insidious onset of nephrotic syndrome in children below 6 years of age.
Hypertension is not a feature of nephrOtic syndrome and is rare in Minimal change disease. Hematuria (a finding of the nephritic syndrome) is also rare.
Pathological findings include
Light microscopy → No abnormality
Electron microscopy →Obliteration (loss) and fusion of foot processes of epithelial cells.
Immunofluorescence → No deposits of immune reactants
Serum complements → Normal levels
Minimal change disease has a very good prognosis with excellent response to steroids.