Question

The urinary protein test during late pregnancy shows one plus, and after delivery, I have been taking traditional Chinese medicine for three months. Currently, the urinary protein test shows two pluses, but there are no symptoms. Is it necessary to undergo a renal biopsy to determine the cause?

Answer

Based on the provided test results, it is suspected that chronic nephritis may be the cause. The presence of urinary protein is due to damage to the kidney filtration barrier, particularly the charge barrier, leading to protein leakage and thereby exacerbating the damage to the glomeruli and renal tubules. Renal biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing kidney diseases, as it can determine the pathological type, severity of the condition, guide treatment, and predict prognosis. However, for chronic nephritis, since the condition is usually mild and progresses chronically, renal biopsy does not significantly guide treatment plans, and therefore, not all patients need to undergo this procedure.