Increased steroid responsiveness of young children with nephrotic syndrome in Nigeria.
A previous study on the nephrotic syndrome (NS) in our unit showed that the histological patterns associated with steroid resistance were more common in children over 5 years of age.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of steroid-responsiveness amongst nephrotic children <or=5 years.


METHODS
All children with NS aged <or=5 years at the onset of disease presenting to University College Hospital, Ibadan were enrolled. Prednisolone was given daily, 60 mg/m2, for 4 weeks and then 40 mg/m2 on alternate days for at least 12 weeks.


RESULTS
Twenty children (9 boys and 11 girls) were enrolled between 1999 and 2002. The median age (range) at onset of disease was 4 (2-5) years. Remission was achieved in 12 (60%) children.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a satisfactory response to prednisolone in two-thirds of Nigerian children aged <or=5 years with NS.
Asinobi
A O
AO
Department of Paediatrics, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. adasinobi@yahoo.com
Gbadegesin
R A
RA
Ogunkunle
O O
OO
D002675:Child, Preschool; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone