Nephrotic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is a chronic disorder in childhood characterized by urinary loss of protein. It is idiopathic in most children and with the majority responding to oral corticosteroid therapy. The response to steroids does determine the subsequent management and prognosis. Relapses are fairly common and treatment needs to be titrated to ensure children are not given repeated doses of steroids. Most of these children require long-term follow up, with the family having regular contact with their Paediatricians. The genetics of nephrotic syndrome has helped to understand the disease pathology better.