| [ Summary ] |
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), IgA nephropathy, Henoch-Schonlein nephritis (HSN) and Alport syndrome are the leading causes (except urological anomalies) of chronic renal failure, in Japanese children. It has been reported that there is no specific treatment of unquestionable benefit for those diseases. However, a controlled trial experiment conducted by the Japanese Pediatric IgA Nephropathy Treatment Study Group showed that therapy combining, prednisolone, azathioprine, heparin-warfarin, and dipyridamole is effective for newly diagnosed severe childhood IgA nephropathy. In addition, new therapies for FSGS or HSN, which may be effective, have been developed. It has been reported that mutations of COL4A5 are responsible for X-linked Alport syndrome. Gene therapy will be available for Alport syndrome in the future since the detection rate for COL4A5 gene mutation is increasing. |