title: Corticosteroid therapy for nephrotic syndrome in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In nephrotic syndrome (NS) protein leaks from the blood to the urine through the glomeruli resulting in hypoproteinaemia and generalised oedema. While the majority of children with NS respond to corticosteroids, 70% experience a relapsing course. Corticosteroids have reduced the mortality rate to around 3%. However corticosteroids have well recognised potentially serious adverse effects such as obesity, poor growth, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the benefits and harms of corticosteroid regimens in preventing relapse in children with steroid sensitive NS (SSNS).
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched CENTRAL, Cochrane Renal Group Specialised Register, MEDLINE and EMBASE without language restriction, reference lists of articles and contact with known investigators. Date of last search: December 2006
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised controlled trials performed in children (three months to 18 years) in their initial or subsequent episode of SSNS, comparing different durations, total doses or other dose strategies using any corticosteroid agent, with outcome data at six months or more.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Results were expressed as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) or mean difference (WMD). Meta-regression was used to explore potential between-study differences due to baseline risk of relapse, study quality and interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty four trials were identified. Six trials comparing two months of prednisone or prednisolone with three months or more in the first episode showed longer duration significantly reduced the risk of relapse at 12 to 24 months (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.84). There was an inverse linear relationship between treatment duration and risk of relapse (RR = 1.26 - 0.112 duration; P = 0.03). Four trials showed that six months of prednisone was more effective than three months in reducing the risk for relapse (RR 0.57; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.71). Deflazacort was significantly more effective in maintaining remission than prednisone in children who frequently relapsed in a single study (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.78). There were no increases in adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children in their first episode of SSNS should be treated for at least three months with an increase in benefit for up to seven months of treatment. For a baseline risk for relapse following the first episode of 60% with two months of therapy, daily prednisone or prednisolone given for four weeks followed by alternate-day therapy for six months would reduce the number of children relapsing by 33%.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital at Westmead, Centre for Kidney Research, Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, NSW, Australia, 2145. Elisah@chw.edu.au
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hodson
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Craig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011282:Pregnenediones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D055502:Secondary Prevention
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011282:Pregnenediones; D011241:Prednisone