C3 glomerulopathy associated with anti-factor H autoantibodies in a child with inflammatory bowel disease.
Maja Ban, Hana Matković, Mirna Natalija Aničić et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 10-year-old boy with newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease presented with severe anemia and acute kidney injury, characterized by microscopic hematuria and proteinuria. Complement studies indicated reduced C3 and CH50 levels, while kidney biopsy revealed diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis with dominant C3 deposition. Treatment with glucocorticoids led to rapid clinical improvement and normalization of kidney function and complement parameters.
What made this case unusual
The case highlights the association of C3 glomerulopathy with anti-factor H autoantibodies in the context of inflammatory bowel disease, a relationship that is not well understood.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider the potential for complement dysregulation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease presenting with renal impairment.
Why it matters
Understanding the link between systemic immune activation and complement dysregulation can aid in the diagnosis and management of renal complications in inflammatory bowel disease.