Impact of alternate day prednisone therapy on statural growth parameters in nephrotic children

ABSTRACT

Estimation of statural growth velocity, standard deviation, score differences as well as bone maturation in 24 nephrotic children receiving alternate day prednisone therapy revealed normal growth rate in 90% of them. Accelerated height growth attainment was observed in 2 children while decelerated rate of growth was observed in three patients. High dose of prednisone given on daily basis, because of a relapse during the period of observation, and/or increased sensitivity of these patients to corticosteroid actions can explain their decelerated growth. These data indicate that alternate day prednisone therapy [for at least 6 months] did not affect normal height attainment in the majority of nephrotic children