Nephrotic Syndrome Following H1N1 Influenza in a 3-Year-Old Boy

Abstract

Background: The pandemic influenza A/H1N1, spread through the world in 2009, producing a serious epidemic in Italy. Complications are generally limited to patients at the extremes of age (65 years) and those with comorbid medical illness. The most frequent complications of influenza involve the respiratory system. Case Presentation: A 3-year-old boy with a recent history of upper respiratory tract infection developed a nephrotic syndrome. Together with prednisone, furosemide and albumin bolus, a therapy with oseltamivir was started since the nasopharyngeal swab resulted positive for influenza A/H1N1. Clinical conditions and laboratory findings progressively improved during hospitalization, becoming normal during a 2 month follow up. Conclusion: The possibility of a renal involvement after influenza A/H1N1 infection should be considered.