In children, which disease is most frequently associated with nephrotic syndrome?

Minimal change disease is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children. This condition is characterized by significant proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema. The name "minimal change" refers to the fact that, under light microscopy, the kidney appears normal, and only electron microscopy reveals podocyte effacement.

Minimal change disease tends to occur in preschool-aged children and is often associated with a preceding viral infection. The pathophysiology is thought to be related to abnormalities in T-cell function, leading to the production of cytokines that damage the podocytes, the cells that line the glomeruli and play a crucial role in maintaining the filtration barrier. This results in increased permeability to protein, especially albumin, causing the classic features of nephrotic syndrome.

While focal segmental glomerulosclerosis can cause nephrotic syndrome in children, it is less common compared to minimal change disease. Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis typically presents with nephritic syndrome rather than nephrotic syndrome, featuring hematuria, hypertension, and mild proteinuria. Benign nephrosclerosis is more frequently encountered in adults and is associated with hypertension, not commonly linked to nephrotic syndrome in children. Thus