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Relapsing Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome Can Cause Long-Term Complications WASHINGTON, DC -- September 24, 2009 -- A kidney condition that can arise in children and was until recently believed to disappear after puberty may persist into adulthood and cause significant long-term complications, according to a study published early online and appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology. The findings indicate that better treatment options are needed for children with minimal change nephrotic syndrome. Many children who develop minimal change nephrotic syndrome can be successfully treated with prednisone. The cause of the syndrome is unknown but may be related to an autoimmune illness. Unfortunately, 10% to 40% of patients suffer relapses after childhood and must be treated long-term with immunosuppressive drugs. To determine the lasting health effects of minimal change nephrotic syndrome and its treatment in patients who are not cured during childhood, Henriette Kyreileis, MD, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands, and colleagues studied 15 adult patients with the disease. The investigators ran a number of tests on the patients, including blood and urine analyses; semen analyses in men; x-ray exams; eye exams; and genetic tests. Hypertension was found in 7 of the 15 patients, and osteoporosis was present in 5 of the patients. Eye exams revealed nearsightedness in 10 of the patients and cataracts in 3 of the patients. In the 8 male participants in the study, low sperm count was found in 1, reduced sperm motility was detected in 4, and defective sperm were present in 6 patients. The analysis revealed that while adults being treated for minimal change nephrotic syndrome may maintain normal kidney function, they frequently experience other serious health problems. Long-term immunosuppressive treatments may be the cause and/or may contribute to the development of these adverse effects. “Our study underscores a need for more effective and less toxic therapies for relapsing minimal change nephrotic syndrome,” the authors wrote. SOURCE: American Society of Nephrology E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version