Background & Aims : Nephrotic syndrome is one of the important diseases of childhood. Although physiopathology of the disease is not well understood but vast majority of patients have a benign course with good response to steroids. In this retrospective study, we reviewed clinical feature and course of 104 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome during 2001-2011 .

  Materials & Methods : The data including age at presentation, gender, response to steroid, results of renal biopsy, frequency of end stage renal disease and adjuvant drugs were collected from patients' medical records. Patients completed at least a 6 month follow up . period

  Results : The range of age at presentation was 1-16 years (mean 5.57 {3.9} years). Patients included 63 (60.5%) male and 41 (39.5%) female. Twenty-six patients were steroid resistant, 78 steroid responsive and 39 frequently relapser/steroid dependent. Nineteen patients underwent needle renal biopsy. Pathologic examination revealed minimal change disease in 9, focal segmental sclerosis in 5, mesangial proliferation in 2 and other findings in 2 patients. Course of disease ended to end stage renal disease in 3 (2.9%).

  Conclusion : A vast majority of children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome had complete remission with primary course of steroid. However, relapse was common and a considerable number of patients experienced steroid dependency or frequent relapses. Long term follow up is necessary .

  SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2014: 24(11): 932 ISSN: 1027-3727