[Morphology of the kidneys in children with primary nephrotic syndrome (lipoid nephrosis) before and after hormone therapy, studied by biopsy (light and electron microscopy)].

Light and electron microscopies were employed to examine biopsy specimens from 15 children suffering from the primary nephrotic syndrome with minimal alterations in renal bodies. The studies were carried out at the height of the disease and in the stage of a clinical remission after prednisolone therapy. The author describes the development of ultrastructural changes in the glomerular filter, primarily of those in podocytes, under the conditions of highly selective proteinuria as well as during hormonal therapy that favours reparative processes and discontinuation of protein "leakage". It is assumed that the anionic layer of the glycocalyx of podocyte pedicles and l. rara ext. heparan sulfates of the basal membrane may play a role in the origin of selective proteinuria.