Serum interleukins and urinary microglobulin in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

We studied 60 children affected with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) plus 20 age and sex matched controls. The children with INS were divided into 3 groups of 20: first presentation, remission and relapse. A complete blood picture and complete urinalysis were done. Serum interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and quantitative urinary beta-2-microglobulin (beta-2-m) excretion were estimated. IL-1beta and IL-6 were significantly higher in the study groups, the first presentation and relapse groups having the highest concentrations. Serum TNF concentration and urinary beta-2-m excretion were significantly higher in the first presentation and relapse groups. Serum IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF concentrations were able to select positively (100%) the first presentation and relapse groups, while these plus urinary beta-2-m excretion selected negatively (100%) the control group.