What are some symptoms of Nephrotic Syndrome?
• Pronounced swelling in parts of the body (edema) most visible in the head, hands and feet.

• High level of cholesterol in the blood (hypercholesterolemia).

• Low level of water soluble protein in the blood (hypoalbuminemia).

• Large amounts of protein in the urine.

How many people have reached End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), which describes a patient who is on dialysis or living with a transplant, as a result of Nephrotic Syndrome?
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) sufferers in various stages of Nephrotic Syndrome number in the tens of thousands, at least. In total, 26 million Americans suffer from CKD, Nephrotic Syndrome being one of the most common forms.

What is the societal cost of Nephrotic Syndrome and its disease group?
The Nephrotic Syndrome disease group (defined as Minimal Change Disease, FSGS and Membranous Nephropathy, among others) accounts for approximately 12% of prevalent ESRD cases (2005) at an annual cost in the United States of more than $3 billion.

Additional Nephrotic Syndrome Statistics:
• Approximately 5 out of every 100,000 children are diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome every year (incidence) and 15 out of every 100,000 children are living with it today(prevalence).

• For patients who respond positively to treatment, the relapse frequency is extremely high. 90% of children with Nephrotic Syndrome will respond to treatment; however, an estimated 75% will relapse.

• Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome can occur at any age but is most common between the ages of 1½ and 5 years. It appears to affect boys more often than girls.

• Nephrotic Syndrome patients lose more than 3.5 grams of protein into urine during a 24-hour period, or 25 times the normal amount. This is the primary indicator of Nephrotic Syndrome.

• In 2006, 4584 children were hospitalized in the United States with a diagnosis of Nephrotic Syndrome at a rate of 17 cases per 10,000 hospitalized children.