Case history
Case history
A 5-year-old boy presents with a short history of facial edema that has now progressed to total body swelling involving the face, abdomen, scrotum, and feet. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. The parents report that the child had a viral illness with fever a few days before the development of the swelling. On examination, he has facial edema, ascites, scrotal edema, and pitting edema of both legs up to the knees.
Other presentations
Some patients may be asymptomatic. The diagnosis is then suspected by detecting heavy proteinuria on routine urinalysis: for example, as part of a preschool or sports physical exam.
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