The Nephrotic Syndrome in New Guinea–A Clinical and Histological Spectrum

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Abstract
Summary: The clinical and biochemical features of 36 New Guinean patients suffering from the nephrotic syndrome are outlined. In 29 the histological pattern is also presented. In this study minimal lesions are uncommon and even in children account for only 20% of the cases. The dominant pathological type is a proliferative glomerulonephritis. The histological profile is similar to that found by African workers many of whom believe that, particularly in the case of children, the parasite P. malariae causes the disease. Such an aetiological relationship remains to be established for New Guinea. The patients with minimal lesions are prednisone‐dependent. Immunosuppressives (mostly azathioprine) are disappointing in those with minimal or proliferative lesions.