What is IgA nephropathy?

➢ Ig A nephropathy is one of the most common causes of recurrent microscopic or gross hematuria ➢ The most common glomerular disease revealed by renal biopsy worldwide. ➢ Usually affects children and young adults ➢ Typically, the hematuria lasts several days and then subsides, but it recurs periodically, usually in the setting of a viral infection. ➢ The hallmark of the disease is the deposition of IgA in the mesangium. ➢ Some experts have considered IgA nephropathy to be a localized variant of HenochSchönlein purpura, also characterized by IgA deposition in the mesangium. ➢ In contrast with IgA nephropathy, which is confined to the kidney, HenochSchönlein purpura is a systemic syndrome also involving the skin (purpuric rash), gastro- intestinal tract (abdominal pain), and joints (arthritis)