Nephrotic Syndrome in Patients at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

Studies on nephrotic syndrome patients seen at Kenyatta National Hospital 1973 - 1977 were done. In a retrospective Study, the clinicopathological data was tabulated and the pattern of the nephrotic syndrome seen here was described. A system6tlc search for aetiological factors was done on 45 nephrotic5 attending The Kenyatta National Hospital, Renal Clinic in 1977, and in a matched control group of 45 patients. In this latter Study, special emphasis was laid on parasitic and viral antigens which are prevalent in tropical countries. From both these Studies, it became apparent that the pattern of nephrotic syndrome seen here is different from that seen in the Western countries. The childhood nephrotics have a peak age of onset of 6 - 10 years and there are only 25 - 30% who have a clinical pattern similar to the minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome. No single aetiological factor was found to be of immense significance in the causation of the -nephrotic syndrome seen here.