The combination of PROTEINURIA, hypoalbuminaemia (low blood level of albumin) and OEDEMA. The primary cause is albumin leaking out of the blood into the urine (see ALBUMINS) through the GLOMERULUS. When this exceeds the liver's ability to make albumin, the plasma level falls and oedema results. The nephrotic syndrome is commonly the result of primary renal glomerular disease (see KIDNEYS, DISEASES OF – Glomerulonephritis). It may also be a result of metabolic diseases such as diabetic glomerular sclerosis and AMYLOIDOSIS, or of systemic autoimmune diseases such as SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) and POLYARTERITIS NODOSA. It may complicate malignant diseases such as MYELOMATOSIS and Hodgkin's disease (see LYMPHOMA). It is sometimes caused by nephrotoxins such as gold or mercury and certain drugs, and it may be the result of certain infections such as MALARIA and CROHN'S DISEASE. Treatment depends on the cause. In glomerulonephritis, particularly a problem for children, courses of CORTICOSTEROIDS and other anti-inflammatory agents may be needed.