Plasma Renin Activities in Patients with Acute Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis

Chang, S Y; Oh, B H; Lee, W G; Park, C M

Abstract

Acute poststreptococcal glomeruonephritis is the most common non-pyogenic renal disease in childhood. The main clinical manifestations are edema, hematuria and hypertension. During the course of the disease, acute renal failure and hypertension are most common complications. Hypertension may give rise to encephalopasthy in small percentage of patients. Yet, the precise mechanism of its pathogenesis has remained uncertain. Increased cardiac output from salt and water retention has been attributed to hypertension. Increased peripheral resistance due to release of renin and consequent formation of angiotensin as shown in renal hypertension and insufficency is another possible explanation. Therefore, authors studied the plasma renin activity(PRA)in 30 cases with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis who were admitted at Hanyang University Hospital during the period of September 1980 to June 1981. The results are as follows: 1. Hypertension was observed in 16 cases(53.3%). 2. The mean diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive was 100.0+/-8.7mmHg and that in non-hypertensive group was 71.4+/-8.3mmHg. 3. The mean PRA was 0.615+/-0.888ng/ml/hr in hypertensive group and 2.514+/-2.300ng/ml/hr in non-hypertensive group. 4. The negative relationship between diastolic blood pressure and PRA was noted(r=-0.52,p<0.01). 5. PRA, rechecked in 4 patients who were recovered from hypertension, increased to much higher level than previous hypertensive state.