The long-term outlook to final outcome and steroid treatment results in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome (INS) was defined as combination of a nephrotic syndrome and non-specific histological abnormalities of the kidney. Among these abnormalities, minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) is the most common. We report our experience with MCNS; its clinical course, treatments and outcomes. One-hundred twenty children (66 male, 54 female) with MCNS, admitted to Nephrology Department between 1987-2009 was assessed. Their clinical presentations, treatment and disease courses were reviewed. The mean duration of follow-up was 11.5 +/- 1.9 years. Initially, all patients given prednisone 2 mg/kg/day single dose per four weeks a followed by eight weeks of the same daily dose given every other day. After week 12, prednisone was progressively tapered off at the rate of 0.5 mg/kg per 15 daily intervals until complete discontinuation had been achieved by week 16. Steroid resistance was accepted as no achievement of remission following four weeks of prednisone 2 mg/kg/day followed by three intravenous pulses of corticosteroids. At the end of the initial steroid treatment, 106 (88.3%) patients were determinate steroid responsive while 14 (11.7%) patients were steroid resistance. Thirty-eight patients underwent biopsy. At the end of study recovery rate was increased from 88.3% to 94.1%. In conclusion, most of patients entered remission by our therapy end of follow up time. With the support of our satisfactory results among the whole study group, long-term prednisolone treatment still remains valid.