Nephrotic Syndrome in Patients at Kenyatta National Hospital
Abstract
Studies on nephrotic syndrome patients seen at Kenyatta National
Hospital 1973 - 1977 were done. In a retrospective Study, the
clinicopathological data was tabulated and the pattern of the
nephrotic syndrome seen here was described.
A system6tlc search for aetiological factors was done on 45 nephrotic5
attending The Kenyatta National Hospital, Renal Clinic in 1977, and
in a matched control group of 45 patients. In this latter Study,
special emphasis was laid on parasitic and viral antigens which are
prevalent in tropical countries.
From both these Studies, it became apparent that the pattern of nephrotic
syndrome seen here is different from that seen in the Western countries.
The childhood nephrotics have a peak age of onset of 6 - 10 years and
there are only 25 - 30% who have a clinical pattern similar to the
minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome. No single aetiological factor was
found to be of immense significance in the causation of the -nephrotic
syndrome seen here.