Histopathologic Characteristics of Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome in a Tertiary Health Facility in Nigeria

Globally, the predominant histopathologic characteristic of childhood nephrotic syndrome has been minimal change nephropathy (MCN). However, some studies from Africa and Nigeria have revealed otherwise. It is imperative that this pattern is re-examined from time to time given changing disease and environmental dynamics from place to place.

This study aimed to determine the histopathological characteristics of childhood nephrotic syndrome in Ilorin, northcentral Nigeria.

A prospective study of all new patients aged 2-14 years who presented with clinical features of nephrotic syndrome between January 2010 to December 2023 at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin was carried out. All eligible patients underwent renal biopsy.

A total of 47 children with nephrotic syndrome were biopsied comprising of 21 males and 26 females making an M: F ratio of 1:1.2. The age range of subjects was 2-14 years with a mean of 7.8 ±3.6 years. The most common histological type of nephrotic syndrome was minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) which occurred in 35(74.5%) children followed by membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) in 5(10.6%) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in 2(4.3%). Of the 35 MCNS patients, 31(88.6%) were steroid sensitive while 4(11.4%) were steroid resistant.

The predominant histopathological characteristic of childhood nephrotic syndrome was minimal change nephrotic syndrome, which was mostly steroid-sensitive.