Histological patterns of idiopathic steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome in Egyptian children: A single centre study.
BACKGROUND



BACKGROUND
Idiopathic steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (ISRNS) represents about 10-20% of children with nephrotic syndrome with variable outcome.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the histological patterns of ISRNS in Egyptian children and the histological details of the commonest types which might be the reason for the steroid resistance.


METHODS
The study included 53 cases with ISRNS. Their renal biopsies were retrieved from the archive of Electron microscopy unit and pathology department, Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital (ASUSH) in the duration from 2005-2011. The biopsies were examined histologically, with immunohistochemistry, and by electron microscopy.


RESULTS
They were 36 males (67.9%) and 17 females (32.1%), the age at diagnosis ranged from 1.5- 16 years with a mean of 6.71 years. Lower limb oedema was the commonest presentation (100%), haematuria was revealed in (17%) of cases. Histological examination showed three major patterns; Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 30.2%, minimal change glomerulopathy (MCG) in 24.5% and IgA nephropathy in 13.2 %. Mesangial hypercellularity was very common among MCG patients (85.3% ±6.7). Tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis were common among cases with IgA nephropathy (40.4% ±11, 53.7% ±8 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
ISRNS in Egyptian children could be attributed mainly to three major diseases (FSGS, MCG and IgA nephropathy). Mesangial hypercellularity and severe tubulointerstitial disease might be the major causes for steroid resistance in MCG and IgA nephropathy respectively. Renal biopsy with electron microscopy examination should be done for all children with nephrotic syndrome at first time of presentation for proper assignment of treatment protocol.
Electron microscopy unit and Pathology department. Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital (ASUSH),Faculty of Medicine-Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Elham
E
Ibrahim Seif
Electron microscopy unit and Pathology department. Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital (ASUSH),Faculty of Medicine-Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Eman
E
Abdel-Salam Ibrahim
Electron microscopy unit and Pathology department. Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital (ASUSH),Faculty of Medicine-Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Nadia
N
Galal Elhefnawy
Electron microscopy unit and Pathology department. Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital (ASUSH),Faculty of Medicine-Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Manal
M
Ibrahim Salman
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS); IgA nephropathy; Mesangial hypercellularity; Minimal change glomerulopathy (MCG); Predinsone resistant nephrotic syndrome; Tubulointerstitial disease