What are common clinical manifestations of nephrotic syndrome?

Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by a combination of clinical features resulting from damage to the kidney's filtering system, specifically the glomeruli. The most prominent manifestations include heavy proteinuria, which involves a significant loss of protein in the urine, and edema, which is the accumulation of fluid in tissues, often leading to swelling, particularly in the legs, ankles, and sometimes the face.

The presence of heavy proteinuria occurs because damaged glomeruli become permeable to proteins, particularly albumin, which is normally retained in the bloodstream. When significant amounts of protein leak into the urine, it results not only in low levels of protein in the blood (hypoalbuminemia) but also contributes to the edema due to decreased oncotic pressure. This protein loss can also trigger compensatory mechanisms, including increased lipid production, leading to hyperlipidemia, which is another common feature of nephrotic syndrome.

Recognizing these clinical manifestations—heavy proteinuria and edema—is critical for diagnosis and management of nephrotic syndrome, helping guide further treatment options aimed at addressing the underlying cause and the symptoms.