NEPHROTIC SYNDROME – AT A GLANCE
Nephrotic Syndrome is the clinical entity characterised by tetrad of signs & symptom namely heavy proteinuria (>40mg/m2/hr), hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin 200mg/dl) and oedema. It has been seen that child below 6yr are mostly affected. Histopathologically in children nephrotic syndrome is usually idiopathic with minimal change disease (MCD) as the most common followed by MCD variant (Mesangial Proliferative variant) and F.S.G.S (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis). About 80% of nephrotic syndrome do respond to steroid. 70% shows relapse and good percentage become frequent relapses (≥2 relapse in 6 months or ≥ 4in 12 months) or steroid dependent (≥2relapse within 2 weeks of stopping steroid or while tapering steroid dose. Relapse is diagnosed by urinary dipstick of 3+ or more of proteinuria for 3 or more days remission despite 4 weeks of full dose steroid & has been shown to predict worse prognosis.