Clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with IgA nephropathy and related diseases: analysis of 49 cases

BACKGROUND: IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary chronic glomerulopathy worldwide. The clinical presentation and progression of the disease range widely from asymptomatic hematuria to rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis or development of terminal renal failure.METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 49 children with IgA nephropathy hospitalized in the Pediatric Nephrology and Dialysis Clinic over 10 years (2012-2022) was performed. Demographic information and disease characteristics at hospitalization were collected.RESULTS: Forty-nine patients with IgA nephropathy, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, and secondary IgA nephropathy were followed up, with a high prevalence of males (61.2%) and significant proteinuria (85.7%). Renal function remained mostly normal, but observations showed microscopic hematuria in 65.3% of patients and decreased GFR in 14.3%. High IgM values were found in 6.8% of patients and high serum C3 values were recorded in 2.1%.CONCLUSIONS: IgA nephropathy and associated diseases represent a complex of different clinical and pathological manifestations.