Nephrotic Syndrome (Children)

Your child will be started on a drug called Prednisolone for treatment of Nephrotic Syndrome. Treatment is for a minimum duration of 3 months from first diagnosis.

More than 90% of children will have resolution of protein in the urine and body swelling with the treatment (Steroid Responsive Nephrotic Syndrome) and this carries an excellent outcome in the vast majority who will continue to have normal kidney function and normal growth. 

Please do not adjust or discontinue the Prednisolone as sudden change of dose can pose significant medical risk to your child. 

Prednisolone has potential side effects like any other drugs. The side effects are more common with higher doses and longer duration of use. 

Some of the common side effects are: 

Your doctor will discuss the other side effect(s) with you. 

You will be asked to check your child’s urine for protein daily and to record the results in the Nephrotic Diary. 

These will help you and your doctor to monitor your child’s progress and to detect a relapse early. 

When your child starts to respond to treatment, he/she will pass large amounts of urine with gradual weight loss and resolution of the body swelling. His/her urine protein level will gradually decrease to negative. 

A renal specialty nurse will guide you through the technique of using a test strip (urine dipstick) to test for the presence of protein on an early morning urine sample (see appendix).