Minimal Change DiseaseSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Minimal Change Disease
Minimal change disease is a kidney disorder that can lead to nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome is a group of symptoms that include protein in the urine, low blood protein levels in the blood, high cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, and swelling.
Minimal change nephrotic syndrome; Nil disease; Lipoid nephrosis; Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome of childhood
Each kidney is made of more than a million units called nephrons, which filter blood and produce urine.
Minimal change disease is due to damage to the glomeruli. These are the tiny blood vessels inside the nephron where blood is filtered to make urine and waste is removed. The condition gets its name because this damage is not visible under a regular microscope. It can only be seen under a very powerful microscope called an electron microscope.
Minimal change disease is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children. It is also seen in adults with nephrotic syndrome, but is less common.
The cause is unknown, but the condition may occur after or be related to:
- Allergic reactions
- Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Tumors
- Vaccinations (flu and pneumococcal, though rare)
- Viral infections
There may be symptoms of nephrotic syndrome, including:
- Foamy appearance of the urine
- Poor appetite
- Swelling (especially around the eyes, feet and ankles, and in the abdomen)
- Weight gain (from fluid retention)
Minimal change disease does not reduce the amount of urine produced. It rarely progresses to kidney failure.
Medicines called corticosteroids (or steroids) can cure minimal change disease in most children. Some children may need to stay on steroids to keep the disease from returning.
Steroids are very effective in children, but are less often effective in adults. Adults may have more frequent relapses and become dependent on steroids.
If steroids are not effective, your provider will likely suggest other medicines.
Swelling may be treated with:
- ACE inhibitor medicines
- Blood pressure control
- Diuretics (water pills)
You may also be told to reduce the amount of salt in your diet.
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
John Sedor is a Nephrologist practicing medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. He has been practicing medicine for over 52 years. Dr. Sedor is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Minimal Change Disease. He is also highly rated in 14 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Minimal Change Disease, Nephrotic Syndrome, Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, Glomerulonephritis, and Kidney Transplant. Dr. Sedor is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine, 1984.
Duke Children's Health Center Kidney Transplant Clinic
I am a pediatric nephrologist and work with children with kidney disease. Some of the conditions that we see include congenital malformations of the kidney and the bladder, nephrotic syndrome, glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney filters), and children who are on dialysis or who received kidney transplantation because of kidney failure. I listen carefully to parents when they bring their children to the clinic because they know their children better than any other person, and they are the best advocates for their child. I collaborate a lot with the other doctors in the clinic. Rest assured, when you visit our clinic and I am not around, the doctor who is seeing you knows everything about your child. This is a group practice with a very caring multidisciplinary team. Dr. Gbadegesin is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Minimal Change Disease. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, Nephrotic Syndrome, Minimal Change Disease, Glomerulonephritis, and Kidney Transplant. Dr. Gbadegesin is board certified in American Board Of Pediatrics, General Pediatrics and American Board Of Pediatrics, Pediatric Nephrology.
Cohen Children's Northwell Health Physician Partners Pediatric Specialists At New Hyde Park
Christine Sethna is a Pediatric Nephrologist practicing medicine in Lake Success, New York. Dr. Sethna is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Minimal Change Disease. She is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Nephrotic Syndrome, Minimal Change Disease, Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, Hypertension, and Kidney Transplant. Dr. Sethna is board certified in American Board Of Pediatrics and American Board Of Pediatrics/Nephrology.
Children usually respond better to corticosteroids than adults. Children often respond within the first month of treatment.
A relapse can occur. The condition may improve after long-term treatment with corticosteroids and medicines that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants).
Contact your provider if:
- You develop symptoms of minimal change disease
- You have this condition and your symptoms get worse
- You develop new symptoms, including side effects from the medicines used to treat the disorder
Summary: Children with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome (FRNS) are exposed to prolonged courses of steroids and other immunosuppressant medications. Given the adverse side effect profiles and variable efficacy of these medications, there is an urgent need to identify novel and safe therapies to treat nephrotic syndrome in children. Stimulation of the vagus nerve, which can be activated non invasivel...
Summary: This study is open to adults with certain kidney conditions, including secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (sFSGS), treatment-resistant primary minimal change disease (TR-pMCD), Alport Syndrome (AS), and treatment-resistant primary membranous nephropathy (TR-pMN). Adolescents with treatment-resistant primary MCD can also participate in this study. The purpose of this study is to find out ...
Published Date: October 23, 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.
Erkan E. Nephrotic syndrome. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 567.
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.