Focal Segmental GlomerulosclerosisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is scar tissue in the filtering unit of the kidney. This structure is called the glomerulus. The glomeruli serve as filters that help the body get rid of harmful substances. Each kidney has thousands of glomeruli.
"Focal" means that some of the glomeruli become scarred. Others remain normal. "Segmental" means that only part of an individual glomerulus is damaged.
Segmental glomerulosclerosis; Focal sclerosis with hyalinosis
The cause of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is often unknown.
The condition affects both children and adults. It occurs slightly more often in men and boys. It is also more common in African Americans. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis causes up to a quarter of all cases of nephrotic syndrome.
Known causes include:
- Drugs such as heroin
- Infection
- Inherited genetic problems
- Medicines such as bisphosphonates and anabolic steroids
- Obesity
- Reflux nephropathy (a condition in which urine flows backward from the bladder to the kidney)
- Sickle cell disease
- Some medicines
Symptoms may include:
- Foamy urine (from excess protein in the urine)
- Poor appetite
- Swelling, called generalized edema, from fluids held in the body
- Weight gain
Treatments may include:
- Medicines to reduce the body's inflammatory response.
- Medicines to lower blood pressure. Some of these medicines also help reduce the amount of protein that spills into the urine.
- Medicines to get rid of excess fluid (diuretic or "water pill").
- Low sodium diet to reduce swelling and lower blood pressure.
The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms of nephrotic syndrome and prevent chronic kidney disease or failure. These treatments may include:
- Antibiotics to control infections
- Fluid restriction
- Low-fat diet
- Low- or moderate-protein diet
- Vitamin D supplements
- Dialysis
- Kidney transplant
Bowdoin Street Health Center
Martin Pollak is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Dr. Pollak is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. He is also highly rated in 6 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, Glomerulonephritis, Nephrotic Syndrome, Chronic Kidney Disease, and Kidney Transplant. Dr. Pollak is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine. Dr. Pollak is currently accepting new patients.
Alessia Fornoni is a Nephrologist practicing medicine in Coral Gables, Florida. Dr. Fornoni is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. She is also highly rated in 10 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, Alport Syndrome, Diabetic Nephropathy, Kidney Transplant, and Islet Cell Transplantation. Dr. Fornoni is currently accepting new patients.
CUIMC/Herbert Irving Pavilion
Andrew Bomback is a Nephrologist practicing medicine in New York, New York. Dr. Bomback is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. He is also highly rated in 21 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis, Glomerulonephritis, Membranous Nephropathy, Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, and Kidney Transplant. Dr. Bomback is board certified in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. Dr. Bomback is currently accepting new patients.
A large portion of people with focal or segmental glomerulosclerosis will develop chronic kidney disease or kidney failure.
Complications may include:
- Chronic kidney disease or failure
- End-stage kidney disease
- Infection
- Malnutrition
- Nephrotic syndrome
Contact your provider if you develop symptoms of this condition, especially if there is:
- Fever
- Pain with urination
- Decreased urine output
No prevention is known.
Background: Podocyte diseases are a group of kidney conditions that include focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), minimal change disease (MCD), and membranous nephropathy (MN). In these conditions, specialized kidney cells called podocytes, which help prevent protein from leaking into the urine, are damaged. This can result in high levels of protein in the urine and, over time, worsening kidney function....
Summary: PODOMOUNT-pFSGS This study is open to adults and adolescents with a kidney condition called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The purpose of this study is to find out whether a medicine called BI 764198 helps people with FSGS. Participants are put into 2 groups randomly, which means by chance. Every participant has an equal chance of being in each group. One group takes BI 764198 tablets,...
Published Date: April 01, 2025
Published By: Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Radhakrishnan J, Stokes MB. Glomerular disorders and nephrotic syndromes. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 107.
Saha MK, Pendergraft WF, Jennette JC, Falk RJ. Primary glomerular disease. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 31.
Santoriello D, Radhakrishnan J, D'Agati VD. Primary and secondary (non-genetic) causes of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. In: Johnson RJ, Floege J, Tonelli M, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 19.