The boy has streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

In Ho Chi Minh City , Quân, 12 years old, experienced shortness of breath, generalized edema, gained 4 kg in three days, and had high blood pressure. Doctors diagnosed him with acute glomerulonephritis caused by streptococcal bacteria.

Three weeks ago, Quân had a fever and cough. His family thought he had a sore throat due to the hot weather, so they bought him fever-reducing medicine. His fever subsided, his cough subsided, and he went to school as usual.

Last week, the child's face initially swelled slightly, then he urinated less, gained weight rapidly to 55 kg, and showed signs of generalized edema. His family brought Quân from Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City for examination. Upon landing at Tan Son Nhat Airport, Quân experienced a headache and difficulty breathing, and was admitted to Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for emergency treatment.

On April 17th, Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Hien, a specialist in Pediatrics, reported that the child arrived at the hospital with rapid breathing, generalized edema, gross hematuria, and a blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg (normal range is below 120/80 mmHg). The child had pleural effusion, diffuse interstitial lung damage, and urinalysis revealed hematuria and proteinuria at nephrotic threshold. The doctor diagnosed the boy with acute glomerulonephritis following streptococcal infection.

Glomerulonephritis occurs when the glomeruli are damaged, making it difficult for the kidneys to remove waste and fluid from the body, causing edema. In Quân's case, the disease was not detected early, leading to complications such as hypertension, causing shortness of breath and acute pulmonary edema.

"Hypertension caused by acute glomerulonephritis in children, if left uncontrolled, can lead to congestive heart failure, seizures, increased intracranial pressure, stroke, and cerebral hemorrhage, just like in adults," said Dr. Hien.

The child was treated with diuretics combined with calcium channel blockers to lower blood pressure, and salt intake was severely restricted. By the fourth day, blood pressure was controlled, edema decreased, the child's weight gradually returned to normal, and blood test results showed no progressive kidney damage. The child was discharged and scheduled for a follow-up appointment after one week.

Doctor Minh Hien examines Quan before his discharge. Photo: Tue Diem. — Doctor Minh Hien examines Quan before his discharge. Photo: *Tue Diem.*

According to Associate Professor, Doctor Vu Huy Tru, Head of the Pediatrics Department, acute glomerulonephritis is a common kidney disease in children aged 2 to 12 years, associated with acute respiratory infections or skin infections.

Symptoms often start suddenly, including generalized edema, oliguria, hematuria, hypertension, and can be life-threatening due to acute renal failure, acute heart failure, cerebral edema, and seizures. If not properly diagnosed and treated, children may develop early-onset renal failure.

Dr. Tru noted that acute glomerulonephritis progresses rapidly and is prone to complications. As soon as a child develops a high fever, and even if the temperature drops, the child experiences swelling, unusually rapid weight gain, decreased urination, blood in the urine, fatigue, and difficulty breathing, the family should take the child for a medical examination immediately.

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