IgA nephropathy in children

Abstract

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy is the most common glomerular nephropathy in the world. It can progress to end-stage chronic renal failure in 10-50% of cases. The pathophysiology is the consequence of a dysregulation of the synthesis and metabolism of IgA1. The diagnosis is based on a renal biopsy showing mesangial deposits of IgA and mesangial hypercellularity. The Oxford classification published in 2009 based on the MEST score is simple, reproducible and well correlated with the clinical prognosis. The goal of management is to prevent chronic kidney failure, based on renin-angiotensin blocker therapy.