Proteinuria is a common urinary syndrome occurring in clinical pediatric practice. Proteinuria may be transient and/or persistent resulting from a glomerular and/or tubular origin. A total urine proteinmeasurement as well as type of proteinuria should be determined before any other specific investigations are undertaken. The dilemma that faces the pediatrician is to recognize whether the child should be referred to a pediatric nephrologist. The early decision is very important, since itsmight prevent and/or postpone the irreversible kidney damage.

        Key words: proteinuria, glomerular proteinuria, tubular proteinuria, determination of urinary protein, diagnostic algorithm