Spectrum of rapidly progressive (crescentic) glomerulonephritis in northern India.

36 consecutive patients whose biopsies showed significant extracapillary proliferation in the face of rapidly declining renal function were reviewed between 1967 and 1979. About 30% of the patients belonged to the pediatric age group with a male:female ratio of 2.5:1. Oliguria/anuria, hematuria, and progressive renal insufficiency were present in all cases. There was evidence of 9 cases being poststreptococcal, 2 SLE, 1 Henoch-Schönlein purpura, 2 possibly viral and 1 staphylococcal. Histologically, 29 cases had more than 60% crescents, 5 between 50 and 60% and 2 cases a little less than 50%. 28 cases were fatal in less than 10 months. 2 were lost of follow-up. 6 survivors with reversal of renal functions had 3 common factors to note, namely an antecedent disease, less crescents both in number and size, accompanied by fewer interstitial changes and early treatment. Rebiopsy in 2 survivors showed regression of histologic severity.