Management of edema in nephrotic syndrome

Abstract

Nephrotic syndrome is a recurrent or chronic disorder characterized by heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and edema. In most patients, the edema can be managed satisfactorily with judicious oral administration of loop diuretics, most often frusemide. The treatment of patients with intractable edema is more difficult and comprises a series of measures including salt restriction, treatment with intravenous frusemide, additional use of thiazide and potassium sparing diuretics, and intravenous albumin. Ultrafiltration and head out water immersion are beneficial for treatment of patients with edema, which is unresponsive to the above measures.