Nephrotic syndrome secondary to cytomegalovirus infection in an infant. Case report

Introduction: Nephrotic syndrome in children is usually idiopathic and the first episode is rarely observed before the 1st year of life. Viral infections are a rare cause of this condition. Case report: The paper presents a case of a 9-month-old infant who developed nephrotic syndrome secondary to cytomegalovirus infection. The course of the disease was atypical - not all symptoms of nephrotic syndrome were present; only progressing proteinuria was observed. Proteinuria was preceded by respiratory tract infection with fever. Due to delayed access to serology test results, a combined therapy with glucocorticosteroids and ganciclovir was administered. A rapid remission was obtained. There were no early complications of the therapy and no relapse of nephrotic syndrome. Conclusions: The viral background of nephrotic syndrome should be considered in patients below the 2nd year of life and when the course of the disease is atypical. Causal treatment can then lead to a permanent and complete remission. This aspect distinguishes this form of nephrotic syndrome from its typical forms affecting the youngest patients - classical forms tend to be steroid-dependent or steroid-resistant.