UNLABELLED: 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. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of steroid-responsiveness amongst nephrotic children <or=5 years. SUBJECTS AND 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. CONCLUSION: There is a satisfactory response to prednisolone in two-thirds of Nigerian children aged <or=5 years with NS.
UNLABELLED: 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. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of steroid-responsiveness amongst nephroticchildren <or=5 years. SUBJECTS AND 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. CONCLUSION: There is a satisfactory response to prednisolone in two-thirds of Nigerian children aged <or=5 years with NS.