In South Africa, nephritic Syndrome is managed by nephrologists. Nephritic syndrome is a glomerular inflammatory state defined by hematuria with dysmorphic red blood cells and red-cell casts, hypertension, reduced glomerular filtration rate, mild-to-moderate proteinuria (usually under 3.5 g per 24 hours), and variable peripheral edema. The underlying mechanism is immune-complex deposition, anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody binding, or pauci-immune capillary wall injury that triggers neutrophil and complement activation inside the glomerulus.
Nephritic syndrome (ICD-10: N00 acute; N03 chronic) is a glomerular inflammatory syndrome characterized by the constellation of hematuria with dysmorphic red blood cells and red-cell casts, proteinuria typically below 3.5 g per 24 hours, hypertension, oliguria, peripheral or facial edema, and an acute or subacute decline in glomerular filtration rate. The unifying pathology is intra-glomerular inflammation: immune complexes deposit in mesangial, subendothelial, or subepithelial positions; anti-glomerular basement membrane antibodies bind type IV collagen; or pauci-immune capillary necrosis develops in ANCA-associated vasculitis. Neutrophil recruitment, complement activation, and crescent formation reduce the glomerular filtration surface and breach the capillary wall, allowing red cells and protein to enter the urinary space. The clinical spectrum spans isolated microscopic hematuria with preserved function, full nephritic syndrome with hypertension and acute kidney injury, and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) with crescents in over 50% of glomeruli and weekly losses of GFR.
The key symptoms of Nephritic Syndrome are: Visible (macroscopic) hematuria — urine described as cola, tea, or smoky brown — often the first symptom that prompts medical contact, particularly in IgA nephropathy and post-streptococcal disease., Periorbital and facial puffiness on waking, more prominent than dependent leg edema in the early phase of post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis., New-onset hypertension that may be severe enough to cause headache, visual disturbance, or seizure (hypertensive encephalopathy in children with PSGN)., Reduced urine output (oliguria), often the most concerning symptom and a marker of significant glomerular filtration loss., Mild-to-moderate proteinuria producing foamy urine, but typically not the dominant clinical feature (unlike nephrotic syndrome)., Flank or loin pain with hematuria after a recent upper respiratory tract infection, classic synpharyngitic hematuria of IgA nephropathy., Systemic symptoms (purpuric rash, arthralgia, fever, weight loss, sinusitis, hemoptysis, mononeuritis multiplex) when the cause is vasculitis or lupus..
Evaluation begins with the urinalysis: dipstick hematuria, microscopic confirmation of red blood cells (dysmorphic morphology, acanthocytes), and identification of red-cell casts and proteinuria are highly suggestive of glomerular inflammation. Quantification of proteinuria (urine protein/creatinine ratio), creatinine and electrolytes, and complete blood count establish baseline severity. The serologic workup is structured around the differential: complement (C3, C4) — low C3 with normal C4 in post-streptococcal GN, low both in lupus and MPGN; antinuclear and anti-dsDNA antibody for lupus; ANCA (PR3 and MPO) for vasculitis; anti-GBM antibody for Goodpasture syndrome; cryoglobulins and hepatitis B and C serology; antistreptolysin O (ASO) or anti-DNase B for recent streptococcal infection; HIV and syphilis serology; blood cultures and echocardiogram when endocarditis is suspected. Imaging (renal ultrasound) excludes obstruction and assesses kidney size. Kidney biopsy is performed in nearly all adults with suspected glomerulonephritis to identify histologic pattern, immunofluorescence (IgA mesangial deposits, full-house staining of lupus, linear anti-GBM staining, pauci-immune ANCA pattern), electron microscopy (electron-dense deposits, podocyte effacement, basement membrane abnormalities), and the presence and percentage of crescents. Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) — falling GFR over days to weeks with crescents in >50% of glomeruli — is a medical emergency requiring same-day biopsy and immunosuppression.
Outcome depends strongly on the underlying cause, the severity at presentation, and timeliness of treatment. Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis in children has an excellent prognosis with over 95% achieving complete recovery; adult PSGN has worse outcomes with 30-60% developing chronic kidney disease. IgA nephropathy progresses to end-stage kidney disease in 20-40% over 20 years, with strongest predictors being proteinuria above 1 g/day, GFR at presentation, hypertension, and MEST-C histologic score. Lupus nephritis treated to complete renal remission achieves 10-year kidney survival above 90%; failure of induction (no remission at 6-12 months) carries 10-year kidney survival of 30-50%. ANCA-associated vasculitis treated promptly achieves induction remission in 70-85%, with 5-year patient survival above 80% and renal survival 60-80%. Anti-GBM disease prognosis hinges entirely on the dialysis status at presentation: dialysis-independent patients have 80-90% renal recovery, while dialysis-dependent patients rarely recover kidney function. Cryoglobulinemic glomerulonephritis with hepatitis C achieves disease remission in most patients with direct-acting antiviral cure. Across all forms, modern combination therapy with RAAS blockade and SGLT2 inhibitors substantially extends time to kidney failure even in residual proteinuria.
All patients with suspected nephritic syndrome need urgent nephrology evaluation. Specialist input is essential for kidney biopsy decisions, choice and dosing of immunosuppression, treatment of associated systemic disease (vasculitis, lupus, hepatitis C), and management of complications including hypertension, fluid overload, and acute kidney injury. Rheumatology co-management is standard in lupus and ANCA vasculitis.
Find specialists →Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis: hematuria and edema resolve over 2-6 weeks; C3 normalizes within 8-12 weeks; microscopic hematuria can persist for 6-12 months. IgA nephropathy: synpharyngitic hematuria episodes resolve within days to weeks; persistent proteinuria managed long term. Lupus and ANCA induction: 24-week course followed by maintenance for 2-3 years or longer. Anti-GBM: plasmapheresis course typically 14 sessions over 2-3 weeks with concurrent immunosuppression for 3 months.
Moderate aerobic activity is encouraged once acute kidney injury and severe hypertension have stabilized; 150 minutes per week of walking, cycling, or swimming is appropriate. Resistance training counteracts corticosteroid-induced muscle loss. Avoid contact sports during plasmapheresis or anticoagulation due to bleeding risk.
Choose a nephrology service affiliated with renal pathology offering immunofluorescence and electron microscopy on biopsy specimens, and with rapid access to immunosuppression, plasmapheresis, and dialysis. Joint glomerular disease and rheumatology clinics deliver optimal care for lupus, ANCA, and anti-GBM disease.
Medically reviewed by AIHealz Medical Editorial Board · May 13, 2026
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