Acute glomerulonephritis in Guyana

ABSTRACT

A retrospective study on 154 children with acute glomerulonephritis seen at the Georgetown Hospital, Guyana during the period 1976 - 1979 has been reported. Forty-eight per cent of cases were aged 5 - 10 years, and the condition occurred equally in males and females. There were 60 percent East Indians. The commonest presenting symptom was swelling of the face or feet. Over one-third of cases developed hypertension, and 41 percent had raised blood urea nitrogen levels. Evidence of preceding pyogenic skin infection was found in 68 percent of cases and scabies infestation in 11 percent. There were no deaths, and the prognosis in those followed for over 3 years has been excellent. Since pyogenic skin infection seems to be a predisposing factor to the development of acute glomerulonephritis in Guyana, the implications for public health measures are discussed. (AU)