Effect of corticosteroid therapy on bone mineral density in corticosteroid responsive nephrotic children

ABSTRACT

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry [DEXA] is the most widely employed technique for diagnostic and serial assessment of bone mass. It is helpful in the investigation and follow up of children with diseases impairing bone metabolism like nephrotic syndrome. The aim of this work was to study the effect of long term steroid therapy on bone mineral density in corticosteroid responsive nephrotic children using DEXA. The study was conducted on 26 corticosteroid responsive nephrotic children in the age group 5-14 years with criteria of MCNS. Nephrotic patients were divided into group A [16 children with first attack or infrequent relapsers] and group B [10 children with steroid dependent NS]. Also, 10 healthy children were included as control. There was no statistically significant decrease of BMD at the end of steroid protocol used in patients with group A. During one year period of follow up of these patients only two cases relapsed which represents a relapse rate of 12.5%. On the contrary, there was a significant decrease in BMD in steroid dependent cases [group compared to control group. Also, there was a negative correlation between the cumulative dose of steroids and BMD