Symptoms

Many people who have nephrotic syndrome do not have any noticeable physical symptoms. When symptoms are present, they can include:

• Swelling in the tissues around the eyes (periorbital edema) or in the feet or ankles (peripheral edema). This is the most common early symptom of nephrotic syndrome in both children and adults.
• Shortness of breath caused by fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
  • Adults older than 65 may be misdiagnosed with heart failure.
  • Children are often thought to have allergies.
• Dry skin.
• Swelling of the scrotum (scrotal edema), which may cause a cord in the testicles to twist (testicular torsion).

Signs of nephrotic syndrome in blood and urine tests can include:

• Low protein (albumin) in the blood.
• High cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• Low blood levels of iron and vitamin D.
• Protein in the urine (proteinuria).