User:Mr. Ibrahem/Alport syndrome

Alport syndrome, previously known as hereditary nephritis, is a genetic disorder characterized by kidney disease, hearing loss, and eye problems. Blood in urine is the most common symptom. Other symptoms may include protein in the urine, high blood pressure, swelling, abnormal lenses of the eye, and gradual onset of kidney failure. Kidney failure may occur around 16 to 35 years of age.

It may be inherited in an X-linked (65% of cases), autosomal recessive (15%), or autosomal dominant (20%) manner. The underlying mechanism involve abnormal type IV collagen—a structural material in the body mainly found in the kidneys, ears, and eyes. Diagnosis may be suspected based on symptoms and confirmed by genetic testing or tissue biopsy.

Treatment involves trying to slow worsening of the disease, for which ACE inhibitors may be used. Dialysis or kidney transplantation may be required for kidney failure. Alport syndrome affects about 1 in 50,000 people at birth. Males are more often symptomatic than females. The disorder was first described in a British family by the physician Cecil A. Alport in 1927.