For his entire life, Gary Coleman suffered from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, an autoimmune kidney disease which stunted his growth.
Other factors also played a role which caused him to be short in stature; the corticosteroids used to treat Gary’s chronic kidney illness throughout his life as well as other medications contributed to his slow growth rate.
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a cause of nephrotic syndrome in children and adolescents, as well as an important cause of kidney failure in adults. According to Wikipedia.org, FSGS is also known as “focal glomerular sclerosis” or “focal nodular glomerulosclerosis.”
It accounts for about a sixth of the cases of nephrotic syndrome. (Minimal change disease (MCD) is by far the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children: MCD and primary FSGS may have a similar cause.
