The incidence of atopy in steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome: clinical and immunological parameters

Fifty-nine children with steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), ages ranging from two to 18 years, were studied to determine the incidence of atopy, using both clinical and immunological parameters. Children with SRNS were found to have a significantly higher incidence of atopy both in themselves (z = 2.51, p less than 0.05) and their first-degree relatives (z = 2.34, p less than 0.05). The proportion of children with raised serum IgE levels (60%) and the geometric mean (631 U/ml) in SRNS children were significantly higher than control values, 14.5% and 136 U/ml, respectively (p less than 0.0001). Intra-group comparison showed that children with multiple relapses (more than two relapses) had higher incidence of skin test positivity to house dust mite (p less than 0.01) and to two or more antigens (p less than 0.05). Our data would suggest that atopy may be a predisposing factor in local children with SRNS.