The Initial Response To Corticosteroid Therapy in Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome in Cote D'ivoire

Abstract

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) in African children is associated with poor response to corticosteroids. There is disparity in treatment response on the African continent. The aim of this present study was to describe the initial response to corticosteroid therapy of childhood NS in Côte d'ivoire.
Materials and methods: This is a retrospective, descriptive study of the records of patients seen in pediatric nephrology unit of Teaching Hospital of Yopougon. This study covered the period from October 2008 to December 2011. Corticosteroid treatment of NS was based on the recommendations by the Society of Pediatric Nephrology. The demographic parameters at the initial episode and the initial response of patients treated with corticosteroids were studied.
Results: 108 children were studied with an average age of 6.88 ±3.96 years. The M/F ratio was 1.7:1. The mean time to relapse was 6.63 months. NS is steroid-sensitive in 84.26 % and steroid-resistant in 15.74% of cases. 54 patients (59.34 % of the steroidsensitive) had at least one relapse. Relapse was noted at 0.36 per person-year.
Co n c l u s i o n : T h e o u t c ome o f corticosteroid therapy in childhood NS in Côte d'Ivoire is comparable to Western data.

Keywords: nephrotic syndrome, child, evolution, corticosteroid, Côte d'Ivoire.