title: Growth in children with nephrotic syndrome.
abstract: To assess the long-term growth status and the effects of steroid therapy on the linear growth of nephrotic children, growth patterns were analyzed in 52 patients who had been followed for 2 to 12 (5.51 +/- 2.82) years. They were divided into 2 groups: (1) Group A had less favorable clinical courses, this included 29 children with frequent relapsing, steroid-dependent, and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndromes; (2) Group B, consisting of 23 nephrotic children with occasional or no relapse. When assessed by a growth velocity index (GVI) and a change in standard deviation score of height (delta SD score), 24 patients (46%) were found to have growth impairment; of these, 21 (88%) belonged to Group A. The mean adult height of 6 Group A patients was subnormal when compared to normal adults, while the value for 6 Group B patients was normal. Based on covariance analysis, steroid usage of more than 6 months per year with a dose higher than 0.2 mg/kg/day (and/or 0.4 mg/kg/48h) was found to be the major determinant on the growth pattern of nephrotic children. In conclusion, high-dose prednisolone therapy should be administered no more than 6 months per year if normal growth and adult height are desired.
authors.forename: Y K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Tsau
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: P I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones