IgE mediated hypersensitivity in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

Sixty children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) and 30 unselected controls were studied for IgE mediated hypersensitivity by skin-test, total serum IgE and specific IgE antibodies to various allergens. In 42 patients the NS was steroid-responsive and associated with minimal glomerular changes (MC); in 18 patients it was steroid-resistant and associated with focal-segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSS). A history of allergy was found in 17% of MC, 6% of FSS and 10% of control children. Neither serum IgE concentration nor the incidence of allergen specific IgE antibodies were significantly different between the 3 groups. In the presence of steroid-dependency the prevalence of atopy appeared to be higher. However, our data do not support the hypothesis that for the pathogenesis of NS IgE mediated hypersensitivity plays a general role.