In reviewing a urine analysis of an adolescent child with nephrotic syndrome, what is the expected finding?

In cases of nephrotic syndrome, a hallmark feature of the disorder is the presence of significant proteinuria, which is the excretion of a large amount of protein in the urine. This occurs due to increased permeability of the glomerular filtration barrier, leading to the leakage of proteins, primarily albumin, into the urine. Therefore, the expected finding in the urine analysis of an adolescent child with nephrotic syndrome would indeed be a high protein level.

Additionally, while other findings such as low specific gravity might occur, they are not specific to nephrotic syndrome alone and can be influenced by various factors, including hydration status. The presence of numerous red blood cells could suggest glomerulonephritis or another condition, which is not a characteristic of nephrotic syndrome; and crystalline particles could indicate various other types of urinary issues unrelated to nephrotic syndrome. Thus, high proteinuria is the key diagnostic feature in this scenario.