Classification of Nephrotic Syndrome

In childhood, nephrotic syndrome can be divided into minimal lesion nephrofic syndrome and  significant lesion nephrotic syndrome depending upon renal histological characteristics and response to corticosteroids and selective proteinuria. About 80  to 85 per cent of  children with nephrotic syndrome are of minimal lesion. 

Minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome currently called as minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) is corticosteroid responsive. The kidney in MCNS appears normal under light microscope and under electron microscope it shows fusion of epithelial cells ''Foot  processes" which is the minimal change. In minimal lesion only albumin is filtered. In significant lesion glomerulo nephritis, glomerulus shows an area of scarring which is attributed to the passage of  large amounts of  protein across the glomerular basement membrane. The sclerosis may be seen only  in very few deep glomeruli. In  this type of glomerulo nephritis 80 per cent will not respond to steroid therapy. 

As you have seen there are two types of  glomerular nephritis as given below: 

a)  Minimum Lesion Nephrotic Syndrome (MLNS) 

b)  Significant Lesion Nephrotic Syndrome (SLNS)