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, bisphosphonates, anabolic steroids
• Infection
• Inherited genetic problems
• 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

A large portion of people with focal or segmental glomerulosclerosis will develop chronic kidney disease or 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.

Published Date: April 12, 2023
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.

Appel GB, D'Agati VD. Primary and secondary (non-genetic) causes of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. In: Feehally J, Floege J, Tonelli M, Johnson RJ, eds. Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 18.

Radhakrishnan J, Appel GB. Glomerular disorders and nephrotic syndromes. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 113.

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.