Assessment of mycophenolate mofetil for treatment of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome in children.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy and adverse effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the treatment of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome in children.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 37 children (24 simple nephrotic syndrome and 13 nephritis-type syndrome) suffering from frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome. Patients received 20-30 mg/(kg d) of MMF in conjunction with 1 mg/(kg d) prednisone for 3-6 months.


RESULTS
Out of 24 patients suffered from simple nephrotic syndrome, 17 patients (70.8%) with complete relief, 4 patients (16.7%) with partial relief and 3 patients (12.5%) with non-relief, whereas out of 13 patients suffered from nephritis-type syndrome 6 patients (46.2%) with complete relief, 3 patients (23.1%) with partial relief and 4 patients (30.7%) with non-relief. Eight patients with Minimal Change Disease (MCD) achieved complete relief. Of 23 patients with Mesangial Proliferative Glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) or Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (MPGN), complete relief was observed in 17 patients (73.9%), partial relief in 4 patients (17.4%) and non-relief in 2 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
These Results suggest that MMF has better efficacy against simple renal disease than against nephritis-type syndrome, and MMF may be more suitable for the treatment of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome characterized by proliferative lesions.
Yi
Zhu-wen
ZW
Laboratory of Pediatric Nephrology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China. yizhuwen@yahoo.com.cn
Dang
Xi-qiang
XQ
He
Qing-nan
QN
Wu
Xiao-chuan
XC
Cao
Yan
Y
Huang
Dan-lin
DL
He
Xiao-jie
XJ
Mo
Shuang-hong
SH
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid