Glomerulonephritis in childhood.

Safer renal biopsy techniques have led to increased recognition of the various forms of glomerulonephritis in the pediatric population. Our understanding of their natural history and progression has improved, and we now know that there is significant morbidity associated with diseases such as IgA nephropathy and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of progressive renal disease has also expanded, but specific treatment modalities, especially for children, are lacking and continue to be areas for future clinical research. This article reviews four types of glomerulonephritis that occur in childhood: acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy, Alport's syndrome, and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. The clinical and pathologic features of each are reviewed, and the current literature covering new developments in their prognosis, genetics, or therapies are summarized.