Effect of corticosteroids on growth in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome

The effect on growth of long-term treatment with prednisolone was studied in 12 patients with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome. Our patient's heights were found between the 10th and 25th percentile both at the first and last height measurement. There was no statistical difference between the first and last height standard deviation score (Ht SDS) (p greater than 0.05). When compared with chronological age, growth velocity (GV), GV SDS and bone age were found low but within the normal range for this age group. There was not any correlation between the last Ht SDS and relapse number, total doses and duration of daily and alternate-day steroid therapy (p greater than 0.05). Growth hormone (GH) responses to pharmacological stimuli were obtained as severe deficiency in 10 patients, partial deficiency in 1 patient and normal level in 1. There was statistical difference between the pulse number of the overnight GH profile of the patients and control group (p less than 0.05). But no statistical difference was found between GH pulse amplitude and GH concentration in patients and control group (p greater than 0.05).