$Unique_ID{PAR00126} $Pretitle{} $Title{Medical Advice: Nephritis} $Subtitle{} $Author{ Editors of Consumer Guide Chasnoff, Ira J} $Subject{Nephritis scanty dark urine Discoloration Puffy eyes Headache High blood pressure strep throat infection impetigo infections inflammation kidneys streptococcal scarlet fever chronic kidney disease convulsions urination ceases bloody urine blood tests penicillin erythromycin glomeruli filter filters filtering units} $Log{} Your Child: A Medical Guide Nephritis Quick Reference SYMPTOMS - Discoloration of the urine - Puffy eyes - Headache - High blood pressure HOME CARE - Most cases of nephritis are mild and pass unnoticed. If the symptoms are marked enough to be recognized, the child requires medical attention. PRECAUTIONS - If the child's eyes are puffy or the urine is scanty and dark, the child may have nephritis. - If symptoms of nephritis are pronounced enough to be noticed, take the child to the doctor. - Nephritis usually follows a strep infection. Watch for the condition to follow a strep throat or impetigo, even if the infection has been treated with antibiotics. There are many forms of nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys), but the form that is most common in children usually follows a streptococcal infection, such as strep throat, scarlet fever, or streptococcal impetigo. The first symptoms of nephritis develop one to three weeks after the onset of a strep infection, and these symptoms are usually mild. In fact, most cases of nephritis probably go unnoticed (or undiagnosed) and pass without treatment. Occasionally, however, nephritis starts abruptly and the illness is severe. Most children recover completely from nephritis, but chronic kidney disease may develop. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS In most cases, the first sign of nephritis is urine that is a smoky color or brownish-red and tinged with blood. The child may have puffy eyes and run a fever of 101 degrees_F to 102 degrees_F for several days. In severe cases, the illness produces high fever, headache, vomiting, high blood pressure, and convulsions; urination ceases almost completely, and the urine the child does produce contains a lot of blood. An analysis of the urine will confirm the diagnosis. Positive cultures of nose and throat secretions for strep bacteria support the diagnosis. HOME CARE If the symptoms are severe enough to be recognized, do not attempt home treatment. The child should be examined by a doctor. PRECAUTION - Nephritis may follow streptococcal impetigo or a strep throat, whether or not the strep infection has been treated with antibiotics. MEDICAL TREATMENT In a case of suspected nephritis, the doctor will examine the child thoroughly and measure the blood pressure. The doctor may take a throat culture to identify a strep infection and order urine and blood tests. If the child does have nephritis, the doctor will usually prescribe penicillin or erythromycin for ten days. The doctor will monitor the child's blood and urine until they are normal again. The child should stay in bed only during the acute phase of the disease. In a severe case, the child may have to be hospitalized for observation and treatment of high blood pressure or convulsions. Medication may be continued for several months, throughout the recovery period and even afterward. RELATED TOPICS: High blood pressure; Impetigo; Strep infections; Urinary tract infections