Membranous nephropathy presenting with nephrotic syndrome in a child with thalassemia major

Pediatr Int. 2015 Aug;57(4):711-3. doi: 10.1111/ped.12572. Epub 2015 Feb 24.

Abstract

Few data on the renal effects of thalassemia syndrome are available in the literature. Recent clinical studies identified proximal tubular damage and glomerular filtration abnormalities in thalassemia. Iron-chelating agents might be nephrotoxic as well, but proven glomerular injury, either due to anemia or chelating therapy, has not previously been demonstrated in thalassemia patients. Here, we report the first thalassemia patient presenting with nephrotic syndrome to be diagnosed with membranous nephropathy in the literature.

Keywords: iron chelator; membranous nephropathy; nephrotic syndrome; proteinuria; thalassemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Glomerular Filtration Rate
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / complications*
  • Glomerulonephritis, Membranous / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Kidney Glomerulus / pathology*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Nephrotic Syndrome / etiology*
  • beta-Thalassemia / complications*
  • beta-Thalassemia / diagnosis