Childhood nephrotic syndrome as seen at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Nigeria

Background: Nephrotic syndrome still remains one of the commonest indications for paediatric renal consult worldwide. The Nephrology unit in our centre is a young one. This study reviews the cases of nephrotic syndrome we managed over a three year period. Aim and Objective: To document its prevalence among other renal cases, pattern of presentation, response to steroid and associated mortality. Methodology: This was a retrospective review of all cases of nephrotic syndrome at our centre from July 2010 to June 2013. Data reviewed were age at presentation, gender, duration of illness, presenting features, laboratory test results, response to steroid and outcome. Results: There were 22 patients. This gave a prevalence rate of 68.8% out of the 32 renal cases seen within this period. There were 14(63.6%) males and 8(36.4%) females with a M: F of 1.8:1. The age range of the patients was 4-15 years with a mean age of 9.68±2.93 years and a peak age of 8-9 years. 3 patients (13.6%) died while on admission; 13(59.1%) patients were followed up while 6(27.3%) were lost to follow up. Out of those followed up, 4(30.8%) were sensitive to steroid, while 9(69.2%) were steroid resistant. Conclusion: Nephrotic syndrome is the commonest renal disorder in our centre, occurring more in males than in females; majority being the steroid resistant types, and also associated with significant mortality.Keywords: Nephrotic syndrome, Steroid resistant, Poor outcome, Umuahia, Nigeri