A Study of the Onset and Prognosis of Nephritis in Children

Abstract

Summary. The investigation comprised a study of 239 cases of nephritis, of which 96 % of those still aliye 10 to 20 years after the first hospital treatment, were followed up. In addition to the ordinary tests, quantitative sediment counts by ADDIS method were made. 90 % of the acute cases of nephritis, most of whom had had a hemorrhagic onset, had recovered, slightly more than 5 % had permanent renal damage, and somewhat less then 5 % were border‐line cases, where further investigation would have been necessary for definite classification. The form of the onset seems to be of the utmost importance for prognosis. An unnoticed insidious onset was combined with bad prognosis. This form of the disease, termed «primary chro‐nic«, led relatively quickly, in all cases within five years, to death. This type of onset is not common, only 11 cases in the total material. The «secondary chronic», on the other hand, influenced the general state of health surprisingly little over a long period (10–20 years). Acute convulsive uremia and the extent of the initial albumin did not influence the prognosis, neither did tonsillectomy. (We should like to take the opportunity to thank chief doctors Med. Dr. FAXIÉN and ÅKRRÉN, Gothenburg, whose valuable help rendered possible the technical side of the investigation, and to express our gratitude to colleagues throughout Sweden for their kindness in answering our questionaires.)