Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2009 Jan;65(1):4-6.
doi: 10.1016/S0377-1237(09)80043-9. Epub 2011 Jul 21.

Growth in Children with Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome

K R Mohan  1 , M Kanitkar  2
Affiliations

Growth in Children with Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome

K R Mohan et al. Med J Armed Forces India. 2009 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Nephrotic syndrome in children usually has an onset between 2-8 years of age and steroids form the mainstay of management. Therapy may affect growth in children with relapsing nephrotic syndrome. This study was carried out to correlate growth with the cumulative dose of steroids in children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS).

Methods: Data of 35 children with SSNS was analysed retrospectively. They were divided into two groups. Group I received prednisolone only and Group II received levamisole and or cyclophosphamide in addition to steroids. Their heights were recorded at the time of inclusion and again one year later. The SD scores for age were determined. Growth rate as a change in the SD score over one year (Δ SD score) was correlated to the cumulative dose of steroids over the same period using the Pearson's correlation.

Result: There were 24 (68.6 %) boys and 11 (31.4 %) girls (M:F ratio 2.18:1) in the age group of 17 months to 11 years at inclusion. Group I constituted 19 (54.2 %) and Group II, 16 (45.8 %). Pearson's correlation coefficients for all children, Groups I and II were -0.341, -0.441 and -0.255 respectively indicating "Fair correlation". This indicates that as the cumulative dose of steroid increases the growth retardation becomes more apparent.

Conclusion: Growth retardation is proportional to the cumulative dose of steroids in children with SSNS.

Keywords: Cumulative dose; Growth; Nephrotic syndrome; Steroids.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Correlation of cumulative steroids with Δ SD scores for height over one year
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Srivastava RN, Bagga A. Nephrotic Syndrome. In: Srivastava RN, Bagga A, editors. Pediatric Nephrology. 4th ed. Jaypee Brothers; New Delhi: 2005. pp. 161–200.
    1. Indian Pediatric Nephrology Group, Indian Academy of Pediatrics Management of Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome: Revised guidelines. Indian Pediatrics. 2008;45:203–214. - PubMed
    1. Franz S. Endocrine & Growth disorders in Chronic renal failure. In: Ellis DA, William EH, Patrick N, editors. Pediatric nephrology. 5th ed. Lipincott Williams & Wilkins; Philadelphia: 2004. pp. 1313–1345.
    1. Feng D, Jun R. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF-binding proteins in nephrotic syndrome children on glucocorticoids. Pharmacological Research. 2003;48:319–323. - PubMed
    1. Rees L, Greene SA, Adlard P. Growth and endocrine function in steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome. Arch Dis Child. 1988;63:484–490. - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources