Clinical observation on treatment of childhood primary nephritic syndrome with glucocorticoids

Objectives To observe the efficacy and side effects of two glucocorticoids in treatment of primary nephrotic syndrome.Methods Forty children with primary nephrotic syndrome were randomly divided into 2 groups and were conducted with methylprednisolone and prednisone,respectively.Treatment effects and side effects were observed.Results No statistical significances were found between two groups in responses to glucocorticoids,including sensitivity,steroid-dependence and steroid-resistance.For sensitive children,time for urinary protein negative conversion was shorter in methylprednisolone group(9.5±1.1 days) than that in the prednisone group(14.7±1.4 days) with statistical significance(P﹤0.05).No significant differences were found in hypertension,infection frequency,abnormal blood sugar and adrenal insufficiency between the two groups.Hypertrichosis was observed(mainly on face and back) and excitement degree increased in methylprednisolone group.Cushing syndrome was severer in methylprednisolone group than that in prednisone group with statistical significance.Conclusions Methylprednisolone is superior to prednisone to induce remission in nephrotic syndrome.Though it causes more side effects it can shorten course of treatment.