Can Oral Zinc Supplementation Reduce Relapses in Childhood Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome? A Systematic Review
Ngozi R Mbanefo1, Samuel N Uwaezuoke1, Chizoma I Eneh2
1Department of Pediatrics, the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla Enugu, Enugu, Nigeria.
Insights
Zinc supplementation may reduce relapses in childhood steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS). While studies suggest a link between zinc deficiency and disease severity, more high-quality trials are needed to confirm its therapeutic benefit in preventing SSNS relapses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Nephrology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) in children frequently involves relapses and steroid dependence.
- Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is a common trigger for SSNS relapses.
- Zinc supplementation has shown potential in preventing ARI, suggesting a possible role in reducing SSNS relapses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and determine if oral zinc supplementation can significantly reduce relapses in pediatric SSNS.
- To assess the current evidence on zinc's efficacy in managing SSNS in children.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of interventional and observational analytical studies from PubMed and Google Scholar.
- Inclusion of studies with primary data, regardless of publication year or language.
- Quality assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using the Cochrane collaboration tool and non-randomized studies using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.
Main Results:
- Eight studies (four RCTs, four observational) involving 621 pediatric patients were analyzed.
- Three RCTs suggested zinc supplementation may lead to sustained remission or reduced relapse rates.
- Three observational studies indicated a significant association between lower serum zinc levels and increased SSNS severity.
Conclusions:
- Zinc deficiency is linked to increased morbidity in SSNS, and supplementation may reduce relapse rates.
- Current evidence is insufficient to recommend zinc as a standard therapeutic adjunct for SSNS.
- Further adequately-powered RCTs are recommended to strengthen the evidence base for zinc supplementation in pediatric SSNS.
Introduction:
Frequent relapses and steroid dependence are common treatment challenges of steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) in children. Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is the most frequently reported trigger of relapse. Given the role of zinc supplementation in preventing ARI, some studies show that this targeted intervention may reduce relapses in childhood SSNS.
Aim:
This systematic review aimed to determine if oral zinc supplementation can significantly reduce relapses in this disease.
Methods:
We searched the PubMed and Google Scholar electronic databases for interventional and observational analytical studies without limiting their year or language of publication. We selected studies with primary data that met our inclusion criteria, screened their titles and abstracts, and removed duplicates. We used a preconceived structured form to extract data items from selected studies and conducted a quality assessment of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies with the Cochrane collaboration tool and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale, respectively. We qualitatively synthesized the extracted data to validate the review's objective.
Results:
Eight full-text articles were selected, comprising four RCTs and four observational analytical studies. Two of the RCTs had a high risk of bias in three parameters of the Cochrane collaboration tool, while three non-randomized studies had low methodological quality. A total of 621 pediatric patients with SSNS were investigated in the eight studies: six participants dropped out in one study. Three RCTs indicate that zinc supplementation may lead to sustained remission or reduction in relapse rate. Similarly, three observational analytical studies suggest a significant relationship between reduced serum zinc levels and disease severity.
Conclusion:
Despite the association of zinc deficiency with increased morbidity in SSNS and the reduction of relapse rates with zinc supplementation, there is no robust evidence to recommend its use as a therapeutic adjunct. We recommend more adequately-powered RCTs to strengthen the current evidence.
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