Nail-patella syndrome (NPS), also known as hereditary onycho-osteodysplasia
, is an autosomal dominant pleiotropic disorder characterised by nailbed dy
splasia or hypoplasia, absent or hypoplastic patellae, iliac horns and defo
rmation or luxation of the radial head. Nephropathy is a known serious comp
lication associated with NPS, In this report, we describe an adult Chinese
woman with the clinical and radiological features of NPS who presented with
the nephrotic syndrome. Renal biopsy disclosed focal segmental glomerulosc
lerosis on light microscopy, while immunofluorescence revealed predominant
staining for IgA in the glomerular mesangium and along some capillary walls
. Ultrastructural study confirmed the presence of paramesangial deposits as
well as subendothelial collagen fibrils in the glomeruli. The histological
findings were those of combined NPS and IgA disease, an association which
has rarely been described.