BENIGN PERSISTENT ASYMPTOMATIC PROTEINURIA IN CHILDHOOD

Persistent asymptomatic proteinuria was detected by routine urinalysis in six children. The mean 24-hour protein excretion was less than 2 gm. Renal biopsy showed no abnormal findings except for minor focal mesangial changes in one; there was no glomerular deposition of immunoglobulin G, betaio globulin, or fibrin. No evidence of progressive nephropathy was detected over a mean follow-up period of 4.6 years. It is recognized that persistent asymptomatic proteinuria occurs during the course of various renal diseases in children; however our experience with patients in whom proteinuria is the sole presenting feature is that the majority have a benign condition.