Gaucher's disease and mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis in childhood — a coincidence?

A 6-year-old boy, presenting with a nephritic syndrome, was diagnosed as suffering from Gaucher's disease (GD) and mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis (MCGN). GD was suspected because of aseptic necrosis of the femoral heads on X-ray and later confirmed by bone marrow aspiration and a lack of glucocerebrosidase activity in white blood cells; MCGN was documented on renal biopsy. The child was treated with prednisone, dipyridamole and aspirin, and recovered completely clinically. A second biopsy was not performed. The connection between these two rare diseases, and between nephritis and GD in general, is discussed.