Steroid-responsive relapsing nephrotic syndrome associated with early diabetic glomerulopathy in a child

A child developed steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome at the age of 3 years. 6 years later, he developed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. At this time renal biopsy disclosed minimal-change disease. After multiple relapses requiring cyclophosphamide or repeated courses of steroid therapy, a second renal biopsy, 5 years after the first, revealed early diabetic changes with associated exudative lesions. The nephrotic syndrome remains responsive to steroids and cyclophosphamide, and the patient maintains an increased glomerular filtration rate and normal blood pressure 3.5 years afterwards. His HLA typing showed DR4 and DR7. Since DR4 and DR7 are associated with diabetes and minimal-change disease, respectively, we speculate that he could carry the genetic predisposition for the development of both diseases.