Thin basement membrane disease

The nephropathy of type of thin basement membrane is the most common cause of red blood cells in the urine ( hematuria) in both children and adults. About 1% of the population are affected. Most can be found in the urine in addition a slightly increased protein excretion ( proteinuria). Renal function is usually normal. The electron microscopic examination of kidney tissue falls within the renal dilution of the basement membrane, an important component of the blood - urine barrier. The disease appears to run in families. In approximately 40% of cases are found mutations in the same gene, which are also changed in autosomal recessive Alport syndrome. Some cases of nephropathy on the type of thin basement membrane may be heterozygous carriers of Alport syndrome.

The course is usually benign, usually it does not come at a loss of kidney function.

Have other sources of bleeding of the urinary tract, particularly tumors and urinary stones, ruled by a urological examination, an invasive ( invasive ) is diagnosis using renal puncture only required for non-standard gradients with high protein concentration in urine or renal impairment. The differential diagnosis in these cases primarily IgA nephritis or Alport syndrome in question.

Treatment of nephropathy type of thin basement membrane is not required.

Swell

Savige J. et al.: Thin basement membrane nephropathy. In: Kidney International. No. 64, 2003, pp. 1169-1178 ( article).