What is a common cause of nephrotic syndrome?

Minimal change disease is indeed a common cause of nephrotic syndrome, particularly in children. This condition is characterized by a significant increase in proteinuria, leading to the classic symptoms of nephrotic syndrome such as edema, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperlipidemia. The underlying mechanism involves damage to the glomeruli, specifically affecting the podocytes, which are crucial for maintaining the glomerular filtration barrier. In minimal change disease, although the glomeruli appear normal under light microscopy, electron microscopy reveals effacement of the podocyte foot processes, leading to increased permeability and resultant protein loss in the urine. This explains why minimal change disease is frequently associated with nephrotic syndrome and is a key consideration in both diagnosis and management.