Prevalence of Asymptomatic Proteinuria among a Rural and Healthy Childhood Population.

Abstract

Summary: Apparently healthy rural primary school children, aged between five and fifteen years, numbering 859, were screened for proteinuria on three occasions. Urine microscopy and culture was carried out on clean urine samples and blood pressure measurement was undertaken on those children with proteinuria. The study revealed a 7.5 percent prevalence of proteinuria that persisted for up to six months in 1.5 percent of the cases. Proteinuria tended to increase with age in both sexes and of all the cases, 4.5 percent were males and 2.9 percent females (P >0.05). Of the cases, 5.1 percent had mild proteinuria (1+) while proteinuria of 3+ that is usually found in nephrotic syndrome was present in only 0.5 percent. Urine microscopy and culture revealed Schistosoma haematobium infestation in 0.9 per cent and significant bacteriuria in 1.1 All the proteinuric children had normal blood pressure (mean 104/68mmHg +12/10) and the values of plasma urea, serum protein, albumin and creatinine concentrations performed on the 31 subjects with proteinuria were norinal.