EPIDEMIC NEPHRITIS IN A SCHOOL POPULATION

[摘要] An outbreak of streptococcal infections among children attending kindergarten and second grade is described. During the course of the epidemic seven examples of acute hemorrhagic nephritis were observed. Routine examination of the urine of the boys who harbored Group A streptococci revealed 4 individuals who showed persistent hematuria and red cell casts but without symptoms of nephritis. In addition, transient hematuria was observed in several boys.The epidemic of nephritis appeared to be due to Type 12 streptococci, an organism known to cause this complication. The importance of nephritis as a public health problem is emphasized since both apparent and inapparent examples of the disease may exist in populations infected with nephritogenic streptococci. Adequate measures are now available for the control of these infections.Normal values are presented concerning the number of red cells excreted in the urine. Some of the factors which may influence the degree of hematuria are reviewed.

[学科分类] 儿科学