Thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN) is a common, lifelong condition affecting the
kidneys that is characterized by microscopic glomerular hematuria, minimal or no
proteinuria, and normal renal function. It often is discovered incidentally, and usually has an
excellent prognosis. Many cases are familial and show autosomal-dominant inheritance.
The defining characteristic is a glomerular basement membrane (GBM) that is thinned to
about half its normal thickness on ultrastructural examination of the renal biopsy specimen …