Am J Psychiatry 1989; 146:84-87
Copyright © 1989 by American Psychiatric Association
Lithium-induced nephrotic syndrome
IK Wood, DX Parmelee and JW Foreman
Division of Child Psychiatry, Virginia Treatment Center for Children, Richmond.
The nephrotic syndrome is a rare, idiosyncratic adverse renal effect of
lithium that can occur with therapeutic plasma lithium levels. The syndrome
is usually reversed by discontinuation of lithium treatment but may require
corticosteroids. Renal biopsies reveal fusion of the foot processes of
renal epithelial cells, referred to as "minimal change disease." No
particular variable identifies individuals at risk for developing the
nephrotic syndrome while taking lithium. The authors review the eight
published cases in the English-language literature and present the case of
an adolescent who developed lithium-induced nephrotic syndrome.
