Symptoms of Nephrotic Syndrome">Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome
The primary problem in congenital nephrotic syndrome is in the kidney, specifically the glomeruli, causing leakage of proteins. In the long term, this defect usually leads to a decline in kidney function with eventual kidney failure.

Initially however, the problems are caused by the loss of proteins. Proteins have a lot of very important functions in our blood. As mentioned above, they help regulate the amount of water in our blood vessels, so with proteins lost in the urine, children with congenital nephrotic syndrome can swell up.

Proteins have many more functions. Specialised proteins called antibodies are an important part of our immune system. If antibodies are lost, children are much more likely to get infections. Proteins also act as carriers for many substances in the blood such as hormones and lipids. Therefore, the regulation of these substances can be disturbed in congenital nephrotic syndrome. Proteins are also important building blocks for our bodies in general so children with nephrotic syndrome often have difficulties in growth and development.