To assess the reduction in bone mineral density among children who completed steroid therapy for nephrotic syndrome

Introduction: Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome is the most common type of nephrotic syndrome accounting for 85% of cases. It is the most common primary or idiopathic type of nephrotic syndrome in children. It occurs between 1 to 12 years of age, but most commonly 2 to 6 years. Even though the majority of cases show remission of nephrotic syndrome, the hypocalcemia due to Glucocorticoids are very severe. It reduces the bone mineralization and reducing the bone mineral content and thereby reducing bone density. Aim of the study: To assess the reduction in bone mineral density among children who have completed the first course of steroid therapy for nephrotic syndrome by measuring biochemical markers of bone. Materials and methods: This study was done to find out the reduction in the Bone mineral density among children who completed steroid therapy for nephrotic syndrome, by using bone biochemical markers. This study also helped to assess the side- effect of Glucocorticoids on bone density and to prevent bone demineralization and pathological fractures in children. Results: The results showed there was a reduction in the serum calcium values among children with MCNS. This implied hypocalcemia among children due to GCs and the P value is significant <0.001. This represented the corrected calcium levels among the children after drug effect. It implied the overall the corrected calcium levels at low levels with MEAN=8.34 mg%. The P value was <0.024 Significant. The total proteins were normal among children after completing the glucocorticoid therapy. The P value was <0.001 and was significant. Mean = 5.68. Standard Deviation (SD) = 0.28. The serum phosphorus was almost normal among remission MCNS Children and at higher levels among defaulters, SDNS and SRNS. Conclusion: Glucocorticoids is the drug of choice and standard therapy for Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome (MCNS), but the drug-induced hypocalcemia and hypovitaminosis D are assessed by our study. Added to the above, the disease itself characterized by hypocalcemia and hypovitaminosis D. So, all children should undergo this assessment to prevent growth failure and pathological fractures. Nutritional supplements are recommended for the quality of life among children.