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Ichikawa Y, Horinouchi T, Tanaka Y, Ueda C, Kitakado H, Kondo A, Sakakibara N, Yoshikawa N, Nozu K. IgA nephropathy in a boy with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome. CEN Case Rep 2024; 13:14-18. [PMID: 37088833 PMCID: PMC10834886 DOI: 10.1007/s13730-023-00791-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A Japanese boy developed nephrotic syndrome (NS) and had microscopic hematuria at 8 years old. Renal biopsy was performed. Light microscopy study revealed mesangial proliferation and all immunofluorescent stains (including IgA) were negative, so he was diagnosed with non-IgA diffuse mesangial proliferation (DMP). Complete remission was achieved at 13 days after the initiation of oral prednisolone, and hematuria also disappeared 3 days later, but the patient developed frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome. Cyclosporine A (CyA) was introduced at 10 years old, and there were no relapses between then and when it was discontinued at 12 years old. A second renal biopsy revealed minimal change without CyA nephrotoxicity. However, there was repeated relapse of NS after discontinuation, so CyA was reintroduced 8 months later, and NS remained in remission thereafter. Microscopic hematuria appeared at 13 years old, however, with gross hematuria appearing at the time of infection. A third renal biopsy revealed mesangial proliferation with IgA-dominant deposition, so the patient was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy. Currently (14 years old), CyA treatment has been discontinued and the patient is undergoing lisinopril therapy for IgA nephropathy, but there are still relapses of NS. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no previous reports of a patient with non-IgA DMP at the onset of NS who had later development of IgA nephropathy. The patient showed non-IgA DMP at the onset, suggesting that NS with non-IgA DMP and IgA nephropathy has some common pathophysiology. Treatment for NS, such as PSL and/or CyA treatment, may suppress the clinical manifestation of late IgA nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Ichikawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunokicho 7-5-1, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Tomoko Horinouchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunokicho 7-5-1, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan.
| | - Yu Tanaka
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunokicho 7-5-1, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Chika Ueda
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunokicho 7-5-1, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Hideaki Kitakado
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunokicho 7-5-1, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kondo
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunokicho 7-5-1, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Nana Sakakibara
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunokicho 7-5-1, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
| | - Norishige Yoshikawa
- Clinical Research Center, Takatsuki General Hospital, 1-3-13 Kosobe-Cho, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kandai Nozu
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kusunokicho 7-5-1, Chuo-Ku, Kobe, Hyogo, 650-0017, Japan
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2
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Bekassy Z, Lindström M, Rosenblad T, Aradóttir S, Sartz L, Tullus K. Is kidney biopsy necessary in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome? Acta Paediatr 2023; 112:2611-2618. [PMID: 37642221 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the need, in the Northern European setting, to perform kidney biopsy in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome. METHODS In this retrospective study 124 individuals aged 1-18 years with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, followed in the paediatric hospitals in southern Sweden from 1999 to 2018, were included. RESULTS There was a median follow-up time of 6.5 (0.2-16.8) years. The majority (92%) of children were steroid-sensitive and of them, 60.5% were frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent. Microscopic haematuria was found at onset in 81.1% and hypertension in 8.7%. At least one kidney biopsy was performed in 93 (75%). The most common indication was a steroid-dependent or relapsing course (58.4%). One of 79 steroid-sensitive children had another histological diagnosis than minimal change nephropathy 1.3%, 95% confidence interval (0.002, 0.068). Bleeding occurred after eight biopsies (6.6%). Twenty individuals (30.7%) were transferred to adult units, 18 still on immunosuppression. CONCLUSION We have in our cohort of unselected children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome confirmed that a kidney biopsy rarely gives important medical information in steroid-sensitive children without any other complicating factor and that the liberal policy of kidney biopsy in the Nordic countries safely can be changed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zivile Bekassy
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Section for Paediatric Nephrology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Lindström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Pathology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Therese Rosenblad
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Section for Paediatric Nephrology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sunna Aradóttir
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Lisa Sartz
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Section for Paediatric Nephrology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kjell Tullus
- Paediatric Nephrology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
- Division of Paediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Trautmann A, Boyer O, Hodson E, Bagga A, Gipson DS, Samuel S, Wetzels J, Alhasan K, Banerjee S, Bhimma R, Bonilla-Felix M, Cano F, Christian M, Hahn D, Kang HG, Nakanishi K, Safouh H, Trachtman H, Xu H, Cook W, Vivarelli M, Haffner D. IPNA clinical practice recommendations for the diagnosis and management of children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome. Pediatr Nephrol 2023; 38:877-919. [PMID: 36269406 PMCID: PMC9589698 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-022-05739-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is the most frequent pediatric glomerular disease, affecting from 1.15 to 16.9 per 100,000 children per year globally. It is characterized by massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and/or concomitant edema. Approximately 85-90% of patients attain complete remission of proteinuria within 4-6 weeks of treatment with glucocorticoids, and therefore, have steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS). Among those patients who are steroid sensitive, 70-80% will have at least one relapse during follow-up, and up to 50% of these patients will experience frequent relapses or become dependent on glucocorticoids to maintain remission. The dose and duration of steroid treatment to prolong time between relapses remains a subject of much debate, and patients continue to experience a high prevalence of steroid-related morbidity. Various steroid-sparing immunosuppressive drugs have been used in clinical practice; however, there is marked practice variation in the selection of these drugs and timing of their introduction during the course of the disease. Therefore, international evidence-based clinical practice recommendations (CPRs) are needed to guide clinical practice and reduce practice variation. The International Pediatric Nephrology Association (IPNA) convened a team of experts including pediatric nephrologists, an adult nephrologist, and a patient representative to develop comprehensive CPRs on the diagnosis and management of SSNS in children. After performing a systematic literature review on 12 clinically relevant PICO (Patient or Population covered, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) questions, recommendations were formulated and formally graded at several virtual consensus meetings. New definitions for treatment outcomes to help guide change of therapy and recommendations for important research questions are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes Trautmann
- grid.7700.00000 0001 2190 4373Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olivia Boyer
- grid.50550.350000 0001 2175 4109Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Reference Center for Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in Children and Adults, Imagine Institute, Paris University, Necker Children’s Hospital, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Elisabeth Hodson
- grid.413973.b0000 0000 9690 854XCochrane Kidney and Transplant, Centre for Kidney Research, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
| | - Arvind Bagga
- grid.413618.90000 0004 1767 6103Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Debbie S. Gipson
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Susan Samuel
- grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Section of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Jack Wetzels
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Khalid Alhasan
- grid.56302.320000 0004 1773 5396Pediatric Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sushmita Banerjee
- grid.414710.70000 0004 1801 0469Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Institute of Child Health, Kolkata, India
| | - Rajendra Bhimma
- grid.16463.360000 0001 0723 4123University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Melvin Bonilla-Felix
- grid.267034.40000 0001 0153 191XDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Francisco Cano
- grid.443909.30000 0004 0385 4466Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Luis Calvo Mackenna Children’s Hospital, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Martin Christian
- Children’s Kidney Unit, Nottingham Children’s Hospital, Nottingham, UK
| | - Deirdre Hahn
- grid.413973.b0000 0000 9690 854XDivision of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Paediatrics, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hee Gyung Kang
- grid.31501.360000 0004 0470 5905Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children’s Hospital & Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Koichi Nakanishi
- grid.267625.20000 0001 0685 5104Department of Child Health and Welfare (Pediatrics), Graduate School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Hesham Safouh
- grid.7776.10000 0004 0639 9286Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Howard Trachtman
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Pediatrics, Division of Nephrology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
| | - Hong Xu
- grid.411333.70000 0004 0407 2968Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wendy Cook
- Nephrotic Syndrome Trust (NeST), Somerset, UK
| | - Marina Vivarelli
- grid.414125.70000 0001 0727 6809Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Pediatric Subspecialties, Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Dieter Haffner
- Department of Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School Children's Hospital, Hannover and Center for Rare Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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Kashif A, Ranjan A, Kalra S, Shravani Uttpal D, Malik A. Clinicopathological spectrum and treatment outcome of idiopathic steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome in children at a tertiary care center. Med J Armed Forces India 2022; 78:291-295. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2020.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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Noone DG, Iijima K, Parekh R. Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children. Lancet 2018; 392:61-74. [PMID: 29910038 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30536-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 266] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The incidence of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) is 1·15-16·9 per 100 000 children, varying by ethnicity and region. The cause remains unknown but the pathogenesis of idiopathic NS is thought to involve immune dysregulation, systemic circulating factors, or inherited structural abnormalities of the podocyte. Genetic risk is more commonly described among children with steroid-resistant disease. The mainstay of therapy is prednisone for the vast majority of patients who are steroid responsive; however, the disease can run a frequently relapsing course, necessitating the need for alternative immunosuppressive agents. Infection and venous thromboembolism are the main complications of NS with also increased risk of acute kidney injury. Prognosis in terms of long-term kidney outcome overall is excellent for steroid-responsive disease, and steroid resistance is an important determinant of future risk of chronic or end-stage kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien G Noone
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Nephrology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kazumoto Iijima
- Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Rulan Parekh
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Nephrology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Child Health Evaluative Sciences, Research Institute, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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6
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Zhao X, Hwang DY, Kao HY. The Role of Glucocorticoid Receptors in Podocytes and Nephrotic Syndrome. NUCLEAR RECEPTOR RESEARCH 2018; 5. [PMID: 30417008 PMCID: PMC6224173 DOI: 10.11131/2018/101323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid receptor (GC), a founding member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, is a glucocorticoid-activated transcription factor that regulates gene expression and controls the development and homeostasis of human podocytes. Synthetic glucocorticoids are the standard treatment regimens for proteinuria (protein in the urine) and nephrotic syndrome (NS) caused by kidney diseases. These include minimal change disease (MCD), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), membranous nephropathy (MN) and immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) or subsequent complications due to diabetes mellitus or HIV infection. However, unwanted side effects and steroid-resistance remain major issues for their long-term use. Furthermore, the mechanism by which glucocorticoids elicit their renoprotective activity in podocyte and glomeruli is poorly understood. Podocytes are highly differentiated epithelial cells that contribute to the integrity of kidney glomerular filtration barrier. Injury or loss of podocytes leads to proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome. Recent studies in multiple experimental models have begun to explore the mechanism of GC action in podocytes. This review will discuss progress in our understanding of the role of glucocorticoid receptor and glucocorticoids in podocyte physiology and their renoprotective activity in nephrotic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
| | - Daw-Yang Hwang
- Division of Nephrology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Ying Kao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
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7
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Mizerska-Wasiak M, Turczyn A, Such A, Cichoń-Kawa K, Małdyk J, Miklaszewska M, Pietrzyk J, Rybi-Szumińska A, Wasilewska A, Firszt-Adamczyk A, Stankiewicz R, Szczepańska M, Bieniaś B, Zajączkowska M, Pukajło-Marczyk A, Zwolińska D, Siniewicz-Luzeńczyk K, Tkaczyk M, Gadomska-Prokop K, Grenda R, Demkow U, Pańczyk-Tomaszewska M. IgA Nephropathy in Children: A Multicenter Study in Poland. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 952:75-84. [PMID: 27573641 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2016_65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common form of glomerulonephritis in pediatric population. The clinical presentation of the disease in children ranges from microscopic hematuria to end-stage kidney disease. The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess clinical and kidney biopsy features in children with IgAN. We assessed a cohort of 140 children, 88 boys, 52 girls with the diagnosis of IgAN in the period of 2000-2015, entered into the national Polish pediatric IgAN registry. The assessment included the following: proteinuria, hematuria, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), arterial blood pressure, and the renal pathological changes according to the Oxford classification and crescents formation, as modifiable and unmodifiable risk factors. The incidence of IgAN in Poland was set at 9.3 new cases per year. The mean age at onset of IgAN was 11.9 ± 4.3 years, and the most common presentation of the disease was the nephritic syndrome, recognized in 52 % of patients. Kidney biopsy was performed, on average, 1.3 ± 2.0 years after onset of disease. Based on the ROC analysis, a cut-off age at onset of disease for GFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (risk factor of progression) was calculated as 13.9 years. Unmodifiable lesions: segmental sclerosis, tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (S1, T1-2) in the Oxford classification and crescents in kidney biopsy were significantly more common in Gr 1 (>13.9 years) compared with Gr 2 (<13.9 years), despite a significantly shorter time to kidney biopsy in the former. We conclude that IgAN in children may be an insidious disease. A regular urine analysis, especially after respiratory tract infections, seems the best way for an early detection of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Mizerska-Wasiak
- Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Medical University of Warsaw, 63A Zwirki i Wigury Street, 02-091, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - A Turczyn
- Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Medical University of Warsaw, 63A Zwirki i Wigury Street, 02-091, Warsaw, Poland
| | - A Such
- Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Medical University of Warsaw, 63A Zwirki i Wigury Street, 02-091, Warsaw, Poland
| | - K Cichoń-Kawa
- Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Medical University of Warsaw, 63A Zwirki i Wigury Street, 02-091, Warsaw, Poland
| | - J Małdyk
- Department of Pathology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - M Miklaszewska
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland
| | - J Pietrzyk
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland
| | - A Rybi-Szumińska
- Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - A Wasilewska
- Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - A Firszt-Adamczyk
- Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Ludwik Rydygier Hospital, Torun, Poland
| | - R Stankiewicz
- Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Ludwik Rydygier Hospital, Torun, Poland
| | - M Szczepańska
- Department of Pediatrics, SMDZ in Zabrze, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland
| | - B Bieniaś
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - M Zajączkowska
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - A Pukajło-Marczyk
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - D Zwolińska
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - K Siniewicz-Luzeńczyk
- Department of Pediatrics, Immunology and Nephrology, Polish Mothers Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Lodz, Poland
| | - M Tkaczyk
- Department of Pediatrics, Immunology and Nephrology, Polish Mothers Memorial Hospital Research Institute, Lodz, Poland
| | - K Gadomska-Prokop
- Department of Nephrology, Kidney Transplantation and Hypertension, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - R Grenda
- Department of Nephrology, Kidney Transplantation and Hypertension, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - U Demkow
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Clinical Immunology of Developmental Age, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - M Pańczyk-Tomaszewska
- Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Medical University of Warsaw, 63A Zwirki i Wigury Street, 02-091, Warsaw, Poland
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Kang HG, Cheong HI. Nephrotic syndrome: what's new, what's hot? KOREAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS 2015; 58:275-82. [PMID: 26388891 PMCID: PMC4573440 DOI: 10.3345/kjp.2015.58.8.275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
While the incidence of nephrotic syndrome (NS) is decreasing in Korea, the morbidity of difficult-to-treat NS is significant. Efforts to minimize treatment toxicity showed that prolonged treatment after an initial treatment for 2-3 months with glucocorticosteroids was not effective in reducing frequent relapses. For steroid-dependent NS, rituximab, a monoclonal antibody against the CD20 antigen on B cells, was proven to be as effective, and short-term daily low-dose steroids during upper respiratory infections reduced relapses. Steroid resistance or congenital NS are indications for genetic study and renal biopsy, since the list of genes involved in NS is lengthening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Gyung Kang
- Department of Pediatrics, Research Coordination Center for Rare Diseases, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hae Il Cheong
- Department of Pediatrics, Research Coordination Center for Rare Diseases, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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