Increased steroid responsiveness of young children with nephrotic syndrome in Nigeria

AbstractA previous study on the nephrotic syndrome (NS) in our unit showed that the histological patterns associated with steroid resistance were more common in children over 5 years of age. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of steroid-responsiveness amongst nephrotic children ≤ 5 years. Subjects and methods: All children with NS aged ≤ 5 years at the onset of disease presenting to University College Hospital, Ibadan were enrolled. Prednisolone was given daily, 60 mg/m2, for 4 weeks and then 40 mg/m2 on alternate days for at least 12 weeks. Results: Twenty children (9 boys and 11 girls) were enrolled between 1999 and 2002. The median age (range) at onset of disease was 4 (2–5) years. Remission was achieved in 12 (60%) children. Conclusion: There is a satisfactory response to prednisolone in two-thirds of Nigerian children aged ≤ 5 years with NS.