Abstract

Dr. Anum Qureshi*, Dr. Tabassum Rasul and Dr. Zoha Hashmi

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Nephrotic syndrome is one of the most common glomerular diseases that affect pediatric age group. Corticosteroid is first line treatment in patients of nephrotic syndrome but they are associated with wide variety of side effects. Children with nephrotic syndrome can develop growth retardation due to malnutrition caused by prolonged use of corticosteroids. This study described the burden of major side effects as well as data for rationale use of alternative treatment modalities instead of prolonged use of steroids. Objective: To determine the frequency of various complications after prolonged use of steroids in pediatric patients with nephrotic syndrome. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study. Place & Duration of Study: Department of Pediatrics, Nishtar Hospital, Multan over a period of six months i.e. March 2019 to September 2019. Subjects and Methods: A total of 100 patients of nephrotic syndrome taking steroids for more than six months were enrolled in study. All patients underwent detailed medical history and physical examination followed by required investigations. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 20. Age & disease duration was presented as mean and standard deviation while complications of the treatment were presented as frequency and percentage. Results: The mean age of children was 7.14±3.34years. Among 100 patients, 66 were male and 34 were female. Regarding complications, 8 patients had pancreatitis, 11 had liver disease, 68 had Cushing like features, 35 patients had posterior subcapsular cataract, 7 patients had raised intraocular pressure, 19 patients had osteoporosis, and 46 patients had hypertension. Conclusion: Most common complication of long term steroids use in children was Cushing features followed by hypertension and posterior subcapsular cataract.