Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Isolation of Glomeruli and In Vivo Labeling of Glomerular Cell Surface Proteins
Published on: January 18, 2019
Renal biopsy in children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome
S Skalova1, M Podhola, P Geier
1Department of Paediatrics, Charles University in Prague, Medical Faculty Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. skalova.s@seznam.cz
Background:
There is lack of consensus on the necessity of renal biopsy in children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) prior to cytotoxic therapy.
Objectives:
To retrospectively evaluate: (a) the benefit of renal biopsy (RB) prior to cyclophosphamide therapy; (b) relationship between histopathologic results of RB samples and clinical course in children with SDNS.
Patients, Materials And Methods:
RB was performed in 18 SDNS patients (11 boys and 7 girls). The mean age of the children at the time of nephrotic syndrome (NS) diagnosis was 6.4 +/- 3.9 years and 9.7 +/- 4.3 years at the time of RB. Following the RB, all children received prednisone and cyclophosphamide treatment for 12 weeks. Duration of remission and relapse rate was recorded.
Results:
The histologic evaluation revealed minimal change disease (MCD; n = 14) and IgM nephropathy (n = 4). These results didn't affect the ongoing therapy. MCD patients had longer remission compared to IgM nephropathy (3.2 +/- 1.5 vs 1.7 +/- 0.8 years; p = 0.05). Relapse rate did not differ significantly between MCD and IgM nephropathy (p = 0.22). The duration of remission was inversely correlated to relapse rate after the treatment (r = -0.66, p = 0.01).
Conclusion:
We suggest that RB prior to cyclophosphamide therapy is not necessary in patients with SDNS (Tab. 2, Ref. 14). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.
Related Concept Videos
Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management
Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Nephrotic Syndrome III : Nursing Management
Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure
Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
Chronic Kidney Disease III: Interprofessional Care
