Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis is a form of inflammation of the glomeruli, the small units of the kidney responsible for filtering the blood. It is characterized by a deterioration in kidney function that can advance over a relatively short time.

Signs that may appear: You may notice swelling, changes in the amount or appearance of the urine (sometimes with blood), tiredness, elevated blood pressure and general malaise.

When to seek care? The presence of blood in the urine, swelling that progresses or a marked decrease in urine warrants a prompt evaluation.

Which specialist treats it? The nephrologist is the professional who studies kidney diseases; in children the pediatric nephrologist gets involved, with support from the laboratory and other specialties depending on the case. Because of how quickly it can progress, it is best for a professional to evaluate it as soon as possible.