How is glomerulonephritis diagnosed?

In addition to a thorough physical examination and complete medical history, your child's physician may recommend the following diagnostic tests:

• throat culture
  
  
• urine tests
  
  
• blood tests
  
  
• electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.
  
  
• renal ultrasound (Also called sonography.) - a non-invasive test in which a transducer is passed over the kidney producing sound waves which bounce off of the kidney, transmitting a picture of the organ on a video screen. The test is used to determine the size and shape of the kidney, and to detect a mass, kidney stone, cyst, or other obstruction or abnormalities.
  
  
• chest x-ray - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
  
  
• renal biopsy - a procedure where a small sample of tissue is taken from the kidney through a needle. The tissue is sent for special testing to determine the specific disease.