Minimal Change Disease

Minimal Change Disease (MDC) is the most common type of nephrotic syndrome in childhood. Currently, advancements in podocyte biology suggest that podocyte may play a pathogenic role in the development of proteinuria in this disease. In the majority of children, MCD presents a relapsing pattern that may persist to adulthood. Steroids are considered the drug of choice to control proteinuria. Recently, new therapeutic modalities including ACTH and rituximab have been tried with variable results. There is a need for multicenter, randomized, controlled studies to define the efficacy of these drugs in MCD.