Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a type of nephrotic syndrome. The term is used to describe a specific pattern of kidney damage that doctors see when they examine tissue from a kidney biopsy under a microscope.

FSGS is very rare. Nephrotic syndrome affects around 1 in 50,000 children a year in the UK. Around 1 in 4 of these will be diagnosed with FSGS.

Your kidneys contain about a million tiny filters called glomeruli. These can be damaged and scarred by nephrotic syndrome. FSGS describes a particular pattern of scarring:

  • focal – some but not all of the glomeruli are affected
  • segmental – a segment (part) of each glomerulus is scarred
  • glomerulosclerosis – there is scarring on the glomeruli (‘sclerosis’ means scarring)

More information

  • Tests and diagnosis

    Find out more detail about some of the tests used to diagnose or investigate kidney conditions.

  • Nephrotic syndrome

    Nephrotic syndrome happens in children whose kidneys leak too much protein into their urine, and causes swelling in the body.

  • Kidney paediatric healthcare teams

    Understand who the members of your child's kidney healthcare team will be.