1
ALPORT SYNDROME IS OFTEN MISDIAGNOSED
Alport syndrome may be misdiagnosed as IgA nephropathy, thin basement membrane disease, focal segmental glumerulosclerosis, or other chronic kidney disease. Genetic testing is key to early and accurate diagnosis. Those with a confirmed diagnosis should enroll in our patient registry, consider participating in our natural history study, and understand that they may be eligible to enroll in a clinical trial.
2
THE PRIMARY SYMPTOM IS USUALLY HEMATURIA
Sometimes children with Alport syndrome have gross hematuria for several days, associated with a cold or flu, which ends when the infection is gone. With disease progression, additional signs of kidney disease begin to appear, such as proteinuria and high blood pressure.
3
FEMALES ARE PATIENTS, NOT SIMPLY CARRIERS OF THE DISEASE
According to recent research, over 95% of females with XLAS have blood in the urine, so they have the disease. About 75% of females with XLAS develop proteinuria. Although the risk of kidney failure is much lower in females with XLAS compared to males, there is significant risk. About 20-30% of females with XLAS reach end-stage kidney disease by the age of 60. Females with Alport syndrome can also develop hearing loss.
4
THERE ARE NUMEROUS ONGOING RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
5
HEARING LOSS & EYE ABNORMALITIES ARE POSSIBLE IN BOTH MALES AND FEMALES
While not all patients experience these symptoms, they are important to be aware of and to monitor over time.
