Levamisole in children's idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

13 children with frequently relapsing and/or steroid-dependent idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) were treated with levamisole. 2.5 mg of levamisole per kilogram body weight twice a week (cycle A) were administered to all patients during 2-16 months (mean 5.8). A daily administration of the same dose of levamisole was given during 2-9 months (mean 4.9) to 8 patients who did not respond to cycle A (cycle B). A beneficial effect was observed in 6 cases: 4 with cycle A and 2 with cycle B. These patients suffered no relapse despite a significant decrease in the amount of prednisone administered or its discontinuation and they experienced a remission period of 7-29 months without prednisone administration. The side effects of the therapy turned out to be minimal both with cycle A and B. Levamisole may be effective in frequently relapsing and/or steroid-dependent INS with minimal side effects.