Acute glomerulonephritis in children

Acute glomerulonephritis [AGN] remains fairly common in the developing world although its frequency has declined in the industrial countries. The pattern of AGN was studied in one hundred hospitalized children. We recorded an increased prevalence in school age, i.e. 6-15 years [75%] and the occurrence of a streptococcal infection [90%], most often a pharyngeal infection [86%], one to three weeks preceding the illness. The problems that needed specific management during the acute phase were hypertension [39%], encephalopathy [5%] and ARF with hyperkalemia, 2% of the patients needing haemodialysis. Most of our patients [98%] recovered with 2% progressing to RPGN. The excellent prognosis of AGN with proper management emphasises the need for optimal care during the acute phase in the hospitalised children