Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 6, 2025.

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AMBULATORY CARE:

Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis

(PSGN) is an inflammation of your child's kidneys. It can prevent your child's kidneys from getting rid of waste and extra fluid. This can lead to high blood pressure and become harmful to your child. PSGN usually follows a streptococcal infection such as strep throat or impetigo. PSGN is common in children 5 to 12 years of age.

Common symptoms:

Symptoms occur suddenly about 1 to 4 weeks after your child's infection. Your child may have any of the following symptoms:

• Decreased urination or tea-colored urine
• Swelling in the face, legs, or feet
• Fatigue or joint pain
• Fever or rash
• Headache
• Seizures

Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:

• Being unable to wake your child
• Seizure
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Fast breathing or fast heartbeat

Seek immediate care if:

• Restlessness or irritability
• Severe vomiting

Call your child's doctor if:

• Your child's face, legs, or feet continue to swell, even with treatment.
• Your child's blood pressure is not within the range the healthcare provider said it should be.
• Your child's symptoms last longer than 2 weeks.
• Your child has a fever.
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

Medicines:

Your child may need any of the following:

• Diuretics will be given to decrease swelling by removing extra fluid in your child's body.
• Blood pressure medicine is given to lower your child's blood pressure.
• Antibiotics help treat a bacterial infection.
• NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. This medicine is available with or without a doctor's order. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If your child takes blood thinner medicine, always ask if NSAIDs are safe for him or her. Always read the medicine label and follow directions. Do not give these medicines to children younger than 6 months without direction from a healthcare provider.
• Give your child's medicine as directed. Contact your child's healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell the provider if your child is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your child takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Treatment for PSGN

may depend on how severe your child's PSGN is. You may need to change your child's diet. Your child may need dialysis if he or she has severe kidney failure. Dialysis helps clean your child's blood when his or her kidneys cannot.

Manage your child's condition:

• Help your child rest as directed. Rest is important for your child's recovery. Allow your child to slowly return to normal activities and do more as he or she feels stronger.
• Monitor your child's blood pressure. Ask your child's healthcare provider how to take a blood pressure and what it should be. Keep a record of your child's blood pressure and bring the record to follow up visits.
• Monitor how often your child urinates. Write down the number of times your child urinates and the color of the urine.
• Follow your child's nutrition plan as directed. You may need to limit the sodium (salt) and potassium that your child eats. You may also need to limit the amount of liquid your child drinks. This will help decrease fluid buildup in your child's body.

Follow up with your child's doctor as directed:

Your child will need to return for urine and blood tests to check his or her kidney function. Bring the records of your child's blood pressure and how much he or she urinates to all your child's follow up visits. Write down your questions and so you remember to ask them during the visits.

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