Plasma free homocysteine levels in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

Altered metabolism of homocysteine in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome leads to raised plasma-free homocysteine levels. Elevated free homocysteine causes endothelial cell dysfunction and promotes early atherosclerosis and glomerulosclerosis. In this analytical study with a longitudinal follow-up, 29 children with first episode of nephrotic syndrome (FENS) aged 1–16 years along with 30 age andgender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Plasma-free homocysteine was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Other variables were measured using standard biochemical methods. The primary outcome measure was plasma-free homocysteine level in children with FENS and in controls. The secondary outcome measure was to observe the levels of plasma-free homocysteine in children with FENS at 12 weeks in remission and in steroid resistant states. Plasma-free homocysteine levels were significantly elevated in children with FENS at disease onset [Median (IQR) 2.170 (1.54–2.71); N = 29; P