What laboratory finding is expected in a child with acute glomerulonephritis?

In a child with acute glomerulonephritis, the expected laboratory finding is indeed the presence of protein in the urine, which is indicative of kidney involvement. Acute glomerulonephritis is characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, leading to increased permeability of the glomerular membrane. This permeability allows protein, usually kept within the bloodstream, to escape into the urine, resulting in proteinuria, which may present as varying degrees of protein concentration.

Protein levels of 2+ in the urine suggest a significant amount is being lost, which aligns with the pathophysiological changes seen in acute glomerulonephritis. Other common findings in this condition might include hematuria (blood in urine) and red blood cell casts, but a hallmark feature is indeed the proteinuria.

While elevated hemoglobin might suggest a different condition, such as dehydration or a chronic state of polycythemia, it is not generally associated with acute glomerulonephritis. Normal calcium levels do not provide information pertinent to the diagnosis of glomerulonephritis, as alterations in calcium metabolism are not typically part of the initial presentation. An increased white blood cell count can indicate infection or inflammation but is not specific to acute glomer