The term "shunt nephritis" stands for an immune-complex-mediated glomerulonephritis which develops as a complication of chronically infected ventriculoatrial or rarely ventriculoperitoneal shunt inserted for the treatment of hydrocephalus. The renal outcome of shunt nephritis is good if early diagnosis and treatment is provided. Due to a wide clinical spectrum of this disorder, as well as indolent courses of shunt infections, the diagnosis is often delayed. We present the case of 13-year-old girl with a severe course of shunt nephritis in whom the diagnosis was both overlooked and delayed. Misinterpretation of her symptoms led to erroneous diagnosis of lupus nephritis and introduction of immunosuppressive therapy.