Definition:
Alport syndrome is an inherited disorder that leads to kidney damage.
Alternative Names:
Hereditary nephritis; Hematuria - nephropathy - deafness; Hemorrhagic familial nephritis; Hereditary deafness and nephropathy
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Alport syndrome is an inherited form of kidney inflammation (nephritis). It's caused by a mutation in a gene for a protein in connective tissue, called collagen. The disorder is uncommon, and most often affects males. Women can transmit the gene for the disorder to their children, even if they have no symptoms. Risk factors include:
References:
Behrman RE, Kliegman RM, Jenson HB. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2003.
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