Management of steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome in children with cyclosporine - a tertiary care centre experience

Objective: To observe the response and adverse effects of cyclosporine in combination with oral steroids for management of idiopathic steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome in pediatric patients. Methodology: It was an observational study conducted at Children's Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from March 2014 to June 2015. Forty normotensive patients of idiopathic steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome between one and twelve years of age with normal renal function were included in the study. Patients were prescribed cyclosporine with prednisolone and were followed to see the response and adverse effects of drugs. Results: Out of 40 patients, 20(50%) were males and 20(50%) females. Mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis was found in 27(67.5%) patients followed by Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 9(22.5%) patients. Complete response was observed in 32(80%) children while partial response in 8(20%) patients at the end of six months. The most common adverse effects were cushingoid features seen in 26(65%) and cyclosporine related hypertrichosis in 34(85%). Conclusion: Management of idiopathic steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome in children with a combination of cyclosporine and prednisolone provided good results as response to treatment was seen in 80% patients.