The effects of intermittent doses of adrenocortical steroids on the statural growth of nephrotic children.

Summary The linear growth patterns of two groups of children with nephrosis were studied. One group received prolonged intermittent corticosteroid therapy to maintain remission and the other group (control) did not. Although the growth increments of each group were accelerated just prior to and following remission, those of the patients receiving intermittent corticosteroid therapy were significantly lower than the growth increments of the control group. These differences in growth rates were no longer significantly different when intermittent corticosteroid therapy was discontinued in the first group. Several aspects of growth changes occurring during the nephrotic syndrome are discussed.