Remission of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I with the use of tacrolimus
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Updated: Jul 13, 2026

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2015
Maha Haddad1, Keith Lau, Lavjay Butani
1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Nephrology, University of California Davis Medical Center, 2516 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
Insights
Tacrolimus effectively induced remission in two children with severe membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis who had poor responses to corticosteroids. This offers a promising steroid-sparing option for pediatric kidney disease.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Immunosuppressive Therapy
Background:
- Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is a rare but serious kidney disease in children.
- Corticosteroids are the standard treatment for severe MPGN, but evidence supporting their efficacy is limited.
Observation:
- Two children with nephrotic-nephritic syndrome due to idiopathic MPGN showed poor response to prolonged corticosteroid treatment.
- Tacrolimus was introduced as a steroid-sparing agent in both cases.
Findings:
- Both children achieved rapid and complete remission after initiating tacrolimus therapy.
- Tacrolimus demonstrated significant efficacy in managing severe pediatric MPGN.
Implications:
- Tacrolimus may be a beneficial therapeutic option for children with severe MPGN.
- Increased awareness of tacrolimus's potential in treating pediatric kidney disease is warranted.
Abstract:
Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, albeit uncommon, is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality in children. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of therapy for severe disease, although data supporting their use are limited. We report our experience in treating two children with nephrotic-nephritic syndrome from idiopathic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Both children experienced a suboptimal response to prolonged courses of steroids and were started on tacrolimus as a steroid-sparing agent. Rapid and complete remission was achieved in both children after initiation of tacrolimus. The purpose of our report is to increase awareness of health care professionals to the potential benefits of this agent in inducing remission in children with severe membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.
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