PSGN SPECTRUM

Asymptomatic versus symptomatic presentation

At one extreme is the asymptomatic child whose disease is discovered only by examination of the urine. Based on surveillance studies of the siblings and/or household contacts of children affected with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN), at least 50% of persons with laboratory evidence of nephritis (ie, abnormal urinalysis) appear to have no symptoms or signs of clinical illness.

At the other extreme is the child who presents with severe disease manifested by oliguria, edema, hypertension, and azotemia and with proteinuria, hematuria, and urinary casts (cylindruria).