dense deposit disease
ABBR: DDD
A type of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in which serum complement is abnormally activated. Serum proteins related to complement overactivation collect in and damage the renal glomeruli, which then fail to filter proteins and metabolic waste products effectively. DDD also causes lipodystrophy and the development of drusen in the retina. The disease usually affects children and adolescents. It results in progressive kidney failure in approx. 10 years. It is diagnosed by electron microscopic examination of kidney tissue obtained by biopsy.