Nephrotic syndrome: pathophysiology and treatment.

Nephrotic syndrome refers to the symptoms caused by renal injury in which large amounts of protein are lost in the urine. Common manifestations of the syndrome are proteinuria, edema, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypercoagulability. Recent research has presented findings that contradict some of the accepted theories regarding the pathophysiology of some symptoms of the syndrome. Accurate understanding of these pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the symptoms seen in nephrotic syndrome is necessary for caregivers to determine the appropriate treatment for these patients.