Final answer:
Nephrotic syndrome is caused by damage to the glomerulus in the kidney, allowing protein and red blood cells to pass into the urine. This can be caused by kidney diseases like glomerulonephritis or diabetic nephropathy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nephrotic syndrome is a condition characterized by damage to the glomerulus in the kidney, which leads to the leakage of protein and red blood cells into the urine. The main cause of nephrotic syndrome is damage to the glomerular capillaries, which allows the protein and blood cells to pass through. This can be caused by various factors, including kidney diseases like glomerulonephritis or diabetic nephropathy. This syndrome's complexities highlight the diverse conditions affecting kidney health, emphasizing how underlying kidney diseases contribute to its onset, signaling the importance of timely diagnosis and management to address the root causes of glomerular damage in nephrotic syndrome.