How will I know if my child has nephrotic syndrome?

Your child’s doctor will need to do a couple of tests to find out if your child has nephrotic syndrome.

First, the doctor will test a sample of your child’s urine for protein. If this test shows a high protein level, the doctor will want to test the urine again. You may be asked to check your child’s urine for protein over a couple of days at home. In this case, your child’s doctor will give you directions on how to get and check the urine sample.

If your child’s urine still shows a high protein level, the next step is a blood test. The doctor will draw some of your child’s blood to test it for several chemicals. These include electrolytes, protein, creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen). These tests can help tell if your child has nephrotic syndrome or suggest another cause for the protein in your child’s urine.

In some cases, your child’s doctor may suggest a kidney biopsy. This means that a tiny piece of the kidney will be removed and viewed under a microscope. Usually, this can be done with a needle and does not require surgery. A kidney biopsy can show what type of nephrotic syndrome your child has and if there are any other problems.