Alport syndrome
Definition
Alport syndrome is an inherited disorder that leads to kidney damage.
Alternative Names
Hereditary nephritis; Hematuria - nephropathy - deafness; Hemorrhagic familial nephritis; Hereditary deafness and nephropathyCauses
Alport syndrome is an inherited form of kidney inflammation (nephritis). It's caused by a mutation in a gene for a protein in connective tissue, called collagen.
The disorder is uncommon, and most often affects males. Women can transmit the gene for the disorder to their children, even if they have no symptoms.
Risk factors include:
- End-stage kidney disease in male relatives
- Family history of Alport syndrome
- Glomerulonephritis
- Hearing loss before age 30
- Nephritis
References
Behrman RE, Kliegman RM, Jenson HB.Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2003.
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