Protein excretion pattern in Sri Lankan nephrotics

Abstract

The appearance of the Nephrotic Syndrome in a proteinuric patient with glomerulonephritis is known to denote a poor prognosis. We noticed low levels of protein excretion in some of our patients with the nephrotic syndrome due to glomerulonephritis. A study was done on 23 consecutive nephritic patients using the radial immunodiffusion technique to accurately measure 24 hour protein excretion. The average excretion of protein in our group of nephrotics was 3.8 gm ±.2.2 gm. Thirty four percent of our patients were excreting less than 2G while remaining nephrotic. These patients excreting less protein were also found to have serum albumin levels 25% lower than the average serum albumin of the group of patients. The early appearance of the nephrotic syndrome could be due to the low protein pool related to poor nutrition. Thus the mere presence of the nephrotic syndrome should not be taken to spell a poor prognosis in these patients.