What is the hallmark feature of nephritic syndrome?

Nephritic syndrome is characterized by a set of clinical features that primarily arise from inflammation of the glomeruli in the kidneys. The hallmark feature of nephritic syndrome is hematuria, which refers to the presence of blood in the urine. This occurs due to the damage to the glomerular capillary walls, allowing red blood cells to leak into the urine.

In nephritic syndrome, the inflammatory process can also lead to a decrease in the kidney's ability to filter waste properly, which may result in other associated symptoms and signs such as mild proteinuria and edema. While massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and significant edema are more characteristic of nephrotic syndrome, which is distinctly different, nephritic syndrome's defining feature remains hematuria due to its direct relation to glomerular inflammation. This differentiation is crucial for understanding the underlying pathophysiology and managing kidney-related conditions effectively.