Membranous nephropathy associated with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood

Membranous nephropathy has been associated with many autoimmune diseases. We describe a child with membranous nephropathy associated with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and Coombs' positive hemolytic anemia. After 3 years of ITP, the patient developed nephrotic syndrome during a flare of ITP. A biopsy specimen showed membranous nephropathy. Treatment with corticosteroids led to improvement of the thrombocytopenia and resolution of the proteinuria. Two years later, the patient again developed thrombocytopenia and proteinuria. Both conditions resolved after treatment with corticosteroids. This case suggests that ITP can cause membranous nephropathy. (C) 2001 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.