High dose methylprednisolone therapy in nephrotic syndrome

This study was done to determine the efficacy of oral high dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) therapy in the treatment of childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS). Fifteen patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were arbitrarily divided into two groups. Group I received prednisolone (daily 60 mg/m² for 4 weeks, 45, 30, 20, 10, 5 mg/m² on alternate days for 4 weeks) and group II received HDMP (30 mg/kg/d for 3 days, 20 mg/kg/d for 4 days, 10 mg/kg/for a week, before 9 am, orally). The patients were followed-up for a duration of 38.0±5.5 months (range 24–68 months) in group I and 42.1±5.5 months (range 16–72 months) in group II. No significant difference was obtained in the duration of remission between both groups (p>0.05), while HDMP induced early remission than prednisolone (p<0.05). The mean relapse rate was 0.8/year in group I and 0.8/year in group II (p>0.05). Although, the number of the patients were limited in the study it can be recommended that patients with NS can be treated with oral HDMP therapy as an alternative to standard oral prednisolone therapy.     

长春新碱对激素依赖型肾病综合征的治疗

目的：目前对于激素依赖型肾病综合征的治疗仍较困难,我们回顾性地评价了长春新碱对用过环磷酰胺治疗后而仍有复发的激素依赖型肾病综合征患儿的治疗效果。方法：14例口服过一个疗程以上环磷酰胺而仍有复发的激素依赖型肾病综合征患儿接受了长春新碱治疗。长春新碱的用法为每周静脉注射1次,连用4周,然后每月1次,连用4月,每次剂量为1~1.5 mg/m2。结果：13例完成了长春新碱的整个疗程。正处于肾病复发期的8例患儿,6例(75%)完全缓解,蛋白尿在用长春新碱治疗2~3剂后消失。在疗程结束后对处于肾病缓解状态的12例患儿随访,发现4例(33.3%)未再复发,持续保持缓解9~40月(中位数为13.5月);半年内的肾病复发次数由治疗前的1.67次降至0.67次(P<0.05);8例再复发者,7例再次注射长春新碱(1 mg/m2)1~2剂后蛋白尿均消失。除用1.5 mg/m2剂量时腹痛较显著外患儿未出现其他明显副作用。结论：长春新碱能诱导激素依赖型肾病综合征复发患儿的完全缓解,还有可能降低复发频率。对于再复发患儿,少数几次长春新碱的使用可能优于口服一个疗程的泼尼松龙或环孢素。[中国当代儿科杂志,2005,7(6):495-498]     

Topotecan and cyclophosphamide in patients with refractory or relapsed Ewing tumors

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of Ewing tumor (ET) patients has significantly improved to cure rates approximating 70%. The prognosis in relapse, however, is poor. Promising response rates have recently been reported for the combination of topotecan (TOPO) and cyclophosphamide (CYC) encouraging wider application of this combination in patients with relapsed ETs. This report summarizes the experience of patients treated with TOPO/CYC for recurrent or refractory disease within the German ET trials. PROCEDURE: Fifty-four patients aged 3.2-49.5 (median: 17.4) years received TOPO (0.75 mg/m2/day, days 1-5) and CYC (250 mg/m2/day, days 1-5) following first (40) or second (6) relapse or progression under first-line therapy (8). RESULTS: A median of 3 (range: 1-11) TOPO/CYC courses were given. Sixteen patients (32.6%) showed partial response (PR), 13/49 (26.5%) had stable disease (SD), 14/49 (28.6%) progressed, 2/49 (4.1%) showed a mixed response (MR). In 4 patients response was not documented, 5/54 patients with complete initial resection at the diagnosis of relapse were excluded from the response analysis. At completion of relapse therapy, 24/54 patients had entered complete (19) or partial (5) remission, 2 had SD, 26 showed progression, information was unavailable in 2 patients. Of the 19 relapse patients achieving complete response (CR), 10 maintained remission (52.6%). At the time of evaluation, after a median follow-up for survivors of 23.1 (range: 7.8-59.8) months from the event prompting TOPO/CYC treatment, 14/54 patients (25.9%) were in continuous complete (13) or partial (1) remission. Overall survival (OAS) after 1 year was 0.61 (95%-CI 0.47-0.74). CONCLUSION: TOPO/CYC is active in relapsed ETs and warrants further evaluation.     

Increasing the dose of prednisolone during viral infections reduces the risk of relapse in nephrotic syndrome: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Relapses of nephrotic syndrome are often triggered by viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), possibly mediated by cytokine release. OBJECTIVE: To test, in a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial, the hypothesis that a small short-term increase in the dose of prednisolone will reduce the release of cytokines and thereby reduce the risk of relapse. METHODS: Sequential patients receiving low-dose (<0.6 mg/kg) prednisolone on alternate days as maintenance therapy were recruited. At the first sign of a presumed viral URTI, all children were examined and randomly allocated to take medicine A or B (containing either prednisolone (5 mg) or placebo) in the first viral URTI, and vice versa in the second. If the criteria for diagnosis of a viral URTI were met, the new medicine was prescribed on alternate days for 1 week at the same dose as that of the prednisolone being taken by the patient on an alternate-day basis. A freshly voided urine sample was tested each morning. The presence of 3+ proteinuria for 3 consecutive days was diagnostic of relapse. RESULTS: 48 patients were recruited, and 40 completed the trial (29 male; 11 female). Age at entry ranged from 1.5 to 13.2 (median 5.3) years. The relapse rate after viral URTI was 19/40 (48%) in the placebo group and 7/40 (18%) in the prednisolone group (p = 0.014; two-sided probability using Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: Prescribing prednisolone daily for 7 consecutive days at the same dose as that taken by the patient on an alternate-day basis at the onset of a presumed viral URTI significantly reduces the risk of relapse in children with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.     

频复发/激素依赖肾病综合征儿童利妥昔单抗治疗1年以上随访情况的系统评价/Meta分析

背景：权威指南和共识均推荐将利妥昔单抗（RTX）应用于儿童激素敏感型肾病综合征（SSNS）中频复发/激素依赖肾病综合征（FRNS/SDNS）的治疗，但仍存在临床适应证不统一、治疗和随访方案多样等问题。 目的：了解RTX首疗程治疗缓解期FRNS/SDNS随访1年以上复发和激素使用情况结局。 设计：系统评价/Meta分析。 方法：检索PubMed、Embase、Cochrane、Scopus和中国生物医学文献服务系统数据库，从建库至2022年6月26日，以SSNS、FRNS、SDNS和 RTX构建中英文数据库检索式。同一篇文献初筛、全文筛选和证据提取均由2人完成，有争议和不确定的文献由第3人复核审查。纳入至少1组干预措施使用RTX治疗1~22岁SSNS患儿的研究。 主要结局指标:RTX干预后随访≥1年的复发率、首次复发时间，激素累积剂量和停用比例。 结果:符合本文临床结局的文献26篇（RCT 8篇、非随机对照试验 1篇、队列研究8篇、病例系列报告9篇），中文文献1篇，英文文献25篇。基于FRNS/SDNS病例的随访≥1年复发率的9项研究的Meta分析显示，RTX较对照组复发率下降了78%(OR=0.22，95%CI:0.09~0.53)，在FRNS/SDNS+（RTX干预前已使用其他免疫抑制剂）亚组病例中，RTX较对照组复发率下降了67%(OR=0.33，95%CI:0.12~0.94)，在FRNS/SDNS-（RTX干预前未使用其他免疫抑制剂）亚组病例中，RTX-（不联用其他并免疫抑制剂）较对照组复发率下降了85%(OR=0.15，95%CI:0.03~0.68)。基于20项研究的Meta分析显示，RTX复发率42% (95%CI:32%~53%)。基于FRNS/SDNS+随访≥1年首次复发时间的9项研究的Meta分析显示，首次复发时间9.89（95%CI: 7.14~12.65)月。基于FRNS/SDNS-开始干预至随访≥1年中位首次复发时间的3项研究的 Meta分析显示，RTX（1~2剂）较对照组中位首次复发时间长20 d，中位生存比（MSR）为0.69(95%CI:0.52~0.87）。基于FRNS/SDNS的12个月激素累积剂量减少结局的4项研究的Meta分析显示，RTX较对照组年激素累积剂量减少明显，差异有统计学意义(SMD=-1.12，95%CI:-1.49~-0.74)。基于FRNS/SDNS的随访3个月激素停用率的2项研究的Meta分析显示，RTX是对照组（CNI或CTX）随访3个月激素停用率的14.6倍 (OR=14.62，95%CI:5.43~39.39)。基于FRNS/SDNS+的RTX治疗6个月停用激素率的3项研究的Meta分析显示，停用激素率68%（95%CI:56%~79%）。 结论:与对照组相比，RTX从随访1年的首次复发时间中获益有限，可从激素减量中获益但不能从停用激素率中获益。RTX治疗FRNS/SDNS随访12个月较安慰剂治疗或空白对照至少可降低88%的复发率，FRNS/SDNS接受RTX治疗随访1年复发率43%。RTX治疗FRNS/SDNS+可获得10个月的无复发生存时间。     

环磷酰胺在难治性肾病综合征治疗中的应用——30年文献Meta分析

目的 明确环磷酰胺能否有效治疗难治性肾病综合征,以及不同的环磷酰胺应用方案中何种最佳,为临床用药以及进一步大规模、多中心的临床流行病学研究提供指导。方法 通过MEDLINE、AHRQ、Cochrane、ACP Journal Club计算机检索系统,以nephrotic syndrome和cyclophosphamide为主题词,检索1970－2000年的前瞻性临床、随机、对照研究的英文文献及上述文献中符合条件的参考文献,以有效率（肾病综合征完全缓解率＋部分缓解率）作为统计指标,采用加权百分率法进行Meta分析。结果 应用环磷酰胺（口服）与泼尼松联合治疗肾病综合征的有效率为49．1％,单纯应用泼尼松治疗的有效率为16．2％,两者比较差异有显著意义（P＜0．05）;大剂量环磷酰胺（累积剂量为168－192mg/kg）与泼尼松联合口服治疗的有效率为44％,小剂量环磷酰胺（累积剂量为42－168mg/kg）与泼尼松联合口服治疗的有效率为25％,两者比较差异有显著意义（P＜0．05）;应用环磷酰胺冲击治疗的有效率为76％,应用环磷酰胺口服治疗的有效率为59％,两者比较差异无显著意义（P＞0．05）。结论 环磷酰胺能有效治疗难治性肾病综合征,且以大剂量环磷酰胺和泼尼松同时口服治疗的效果最佳。     

Mycophenolate mofetil therapy for children with intractable nephrotic syndrome

BACKGROUND: Cyclosporin A (CyA) can suppress relapses and reduce proteinuria in frequent-relapse nephrotic syndrome (FRNS) and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS). However, some patients remain resistant to CyA therapy. The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment in pediatric patients with CyA-resistant intractable nephrotic syndrome. METHODS: MMF therapy was given to 11 patients with FRNS who had relapse despite CyA therapy, and one patient with SRNS who had been receiving combined therapy using steroid and CyA until immediately before the start of MMF. MMF was administered at a daily dose of 750-1000 mg/m(2) in two divided doses. RESULTS: Ten of the 11 patients with FRNS were able to maintain remission. Among them, seven patients remained relapse free for 1 year, and two patients had a decrease in the frequency of relapse after initiation of MMF therapy. One patient, however, had repeated cycles of remission and relapse, and was considered resistant to MMF therapy. The total prednisolone dose during the period from month 6 to month 12 after the start of MMF therapy was significantly lower than that during the 6 month period before the start of MMF therapy. The patient with SRNS, who had not achieved remission despite CyA administration, had complete remission on MMF. No serious adverse effects were seen in any of the present patients. CONCLUSION: MMF could be useful in CyA-treatment-refractory FRNS and CyA-resistant SRNS.     

Pulse Methylprednisolone Therapy in Severe Idiopathic Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome

ABSTRACT. The effect of methyl prednisolone therapy (PM) was studied in 18 children with severe idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS). Eight patients were defined as "corticosteroid-resistant" because there was no response to treatment after a minimum of 4 weeks of 2 mg/kg/day of prednisone; 10 patients had a corticosteroid-dependent NS with frequent relapses which occurred under a high threshold dose of prednisone (1 mg/kg/day). Each patient received 4–6 pulses of 1 g/1.73 m² methylprednisolone. Tolerance was generally good. PM therapy permitted a more rapid remission than oral prednisone (average 9±4 days vs. 22±9 days). Remission occurred in 5 of the 8 corticosteroid-resistant patients three of these 5 patients developed corticosteroid-dependent NS. For the children with a corticosteroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, PM therapy did not affect the threshold dose of prednisone.     

Low dose prednisolone in nephrotic syndrome.

Sixteen patients with steroid responsive nephrotic syndrome were treated on 29 separate occasions with a low dose of prednisolone (30 mg/m2/day). All went into remission within 14 days. The duration of remission in the six patients who had had previous relapses treated with a higher dose of prednisolone was similar.     

Adrenocortical suppression increases the risk of relapse in nephrotic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) are usually treated with long-term low dose alternate day prednisolone with or without glucocorticoid sparing therapy, such as levamisole or ciclosporin, to maintain remission. The degree of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) suppression with such therapeutic strategies has not been studied systematically. HPA suppression could cause a relapse or adrenal crisis. STUDY DESIGN: To study the risks of HPA suppression, a modified low dose synacthen test (0.5 mug) was administered to 32 patients (22 male,10 female) with a mean age of 9.7 years (range 3.8-17.6 years) with NS receiving long-term alternate day prednisolone for over 12 months. Twelve patients received alternate day prednisolone, 11 alternate prednisolone+levamisole and nine alternate prednisolone+ciclosporin. All patients were followed up for 3 years and the relapse rate noted. RESULTS: 20/32 (62.5%) patients had a peak serum cortisol concentration of <500 nmol/l, which suggested suboptimal cortisol secretion and possible HPA suppression. 10/12 children in the prednisolone group and 8/11 in the levamisole group had a suboptimal cortisol response compared with 2/9 in the ciclosporin group. During follow-up, the 20 children who had a suboptimal cortisol response had significantly more relapses (95 relapses) compared to the 12 children with a normal cortisol response who had 24 relapses (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Children with NS receiving long-term alternate day prednisolone therapy are at risk of developing HPA suppression and should be evaluated using the modified synacthen test. Children with evidence of HPA suppression are at a greater risk of relapse.     

低剂量利妥昔单抗治疗儿童肾病综合征疗效及安全性的前瞻性随机对照研究北大核心CSCD

目的对比利妥昔单抗(rituximab,RTX)低剂量(200 mg/m^(2))与推荐剂量(375 mg/m^(2))重复使用治疗频复发型肾病综合征(frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome,FRNS)或激素依赖型肾病综合征(steroiddependent nephrotic syndrome,SDNS)维持缓解的疗效和安全性。方法采用随机对照试验研究法,选择2020年9月—2021年12月在安徽省儿童医院儿童肾脏科接受系统治疗的29例FRNS/SDNS患儿为研究对象,按随机数字表法分为推荐剂量组(n=14)和低剂量组(n=15)。分析比较两组患儿的一般特征、RTX治疗前后CD19变化、复发次数、糖皮质激素使用剂量、RTX不良反应及住院费用等差异。结果与治疗前相比,低剂量组与推荐剂量组在应用RTX后均能使B淋巴细胞耗竭,且复发次数减少、糖皮质激素使用剂量下降(P<0.05)。低剂量组RTX治疗后的临床疗效与推荐剂量组相当(P>0.05);而低剂量组第2~4次住院费用下降(P<0.05)。两组在使用RTX过程中及后期随访中无严重不良反应,发生的不良反应差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论低剂量与推荐剂量重复RTX治疗临床疗效和安全性相当,可显著降低FRNS/SDNS复发次数及糖皮质激素使用剂量,在整个治疗周期内无明显不良反应,适合临床推广。     

Daily single-dose and daily reduced-dose prednisone therapy for children with the nephrotic syndrome

Most current reference sources recommend that initial therapy for minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome consist of prednisone, 60 mg/m2 per 24 hours or 2 mg/kg per 24 hours, given in divided doses, and that this regimen be repeated for each relapse. The need for divided-dose daily-administered prednisone is predicated on anecdotal observations that single-dose daily administration is not effective. Because single-dose daily-administered and reduced-dose daily-administered prednisone has been used to treat this condition for several years, experience with these regimens in nephrotic children was analyzed. Forty-one patients were studied, including 22 treated from the onset of their disease. Of these 22, 17 (77%) responded to single-dose daily-administered prednisone (2 mg/kg); after subsequent biospy, each of the nonresponders proved to have lesions other than minimal change disease. The mean response time with single-dose daily-administered prednisone (9.6 days for treatment of the initial onset of nephrotic syndrome and 11.1 days for treatment of relapses) was comparable to that previously reported with divided-dose regimens. In 14 patients with frequent relapses, a single reduced-dose daily-administered dose of prednisone (0.2 to 1.5 mg/kg/d) successfully induced remissions in 55 of 63 relapse episodes. It is concluded that a single morning dose of prednisone effectively induces remission in children with minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome. Among selected patients with frequent relapses, additional steroid sparing may be achieved by the use of this regimen with reduced doses during treatment of relapses.     

Interstitial pneumonitis probably induced by cyclophosphamide in nephrosis

A case of interstitial shadows associated with oral cyclophosphamide therapy in a 32-month-old girl with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, who was admitted to the Nishi-Kobe Medical Center with systemic edema, is reported. Due to the lack of response to prednisolone, cyclophosphamide was also administered orally at a dose of 3 mg/kg per day, 4 weeks after the start of steroid therapy. Approximately 3 weeks after the combination treatment she developed a fever, dry cough and cyanosis. Radiographic examination showed diffuse ground-glass shadow in both lungs, presumably indicating that she had interstitial pneumonitis. Her pulmonary signs and symptoms deteriorated despite various antimicrobial treatments. A discontinuation of cyclophosphamide and the administration of high-dose methylprednisolone yielded a dramatic improvement. These findings suggest that the diffuse pulmonary disease in this case was induced by cyclophosphamide. Since interstitial pneumonitis may be fatal and irreversible, attention should be paid to this rare complication even in patients undergoing low-dose oral cyclophosphamide treatment.     

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) presenting with nephrotic syndrome and membranous glomerulopathy in a 10-year-old girl

The authors report the case of a 10-y-old girl with clinical diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), made at the age of 6 y, based upon arthritis, serositis, haematological disorder and positive antinuclear antibody. The first manifestation of disease--Raynaud's phenomenon--appeared at the age of 4 y. Seven months after the diagnosis, she developed nephrotic proteinuria with haematuria. Percutaneous renal biopsy showed membranous glomerulonephritis, the least common form of lupus nephritis. CONCLUSION: Intravenous cyclophosphamide therapy associated with oral prednisolone proved effective in inducing complete remission of nephrotic syndrome.     

Cyclosporine in steroid dependent and resistant childhood nephrotic syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of cyclosporine (CyA) monotherapy in steroid resistant (SRNS) and steroid dependent (SDNS) nephrotic syndrome in children. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary kidney care center for children at Bangalore. METHODS: Forty-one children with SDNS and SRNS with normal renal functions were treated with CyA at a dose of 6 mg/kg/day initially and maintained at 3 to 4 mg/kg/day if remission was sustained. The dosage was adjusted according to the CyA blood levels in non-responders. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 93 months (range 48-936) months. Thirteen children had minimal change disease (MCNS), 10 had mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN). Ten had membrano-proliferative (GN) (MPGN) and 8 had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Median age at onset of disease and median time for CyA usage from disease onset was 22 months and 16 months respectively. Median duration of CyA therapy was 24 months (range 6-72) months. The data was analyzed to determine significance of variables on the outcome. Median follow up was 71 months (range 20-205) months. Eleven children were CyA resistant. Of the remaining 30 who were CyA responders, 22 (73.33%) were CyA dependent. Seven children developed chronic renal failure (CRF). CONCLUSIONS: The predictors for CyA non-responsiveness were steroid resistance, non MCNS on biopsy and longer duration between onset of nephrotic syndrome and CyA usage, irrespective of the age of onset of the disease. There was a higher incidence of CyA dependence among young responders. Patients with CyA resistance are at high risk for significant infections and CRF.     

Inhaled corticosteroids for maintenance treatment in childhood pulmonary sarcoidosis

We present our experience with sequential oral and inhaled corticosteroid therapy in childhood pulmonary sarcoidosis. Fifteen children were followed-up for a mean of 7y. Treatment consisted of oral prednisolone 2mg/kg/d on initial diagnosis. After remission was reached, alternate day therapy with 1 mg/kg was continued. The dose was tapered to a maintenance dose which controlled the activity of the disease. When patients were free of symptoms and had no clinical and laboratory findings, inhaled corticosteriod treatment was started. Relapse treatment consisted of cessation of inhaled corticosteroids and start of oral corticosteroids at a dosage of 2 mg/kg/d and then a tapered dose. Five patients were given oral corticosteroids only. Nine patients were given inhaled steroids after oral corticosteroid therapy had been discontinued. Clinical and radiological remissions were achieved in every patient.
Conclusion : Sequential oral and inhaled corticosteroid therapy may be an alternative treatment regimen for sarcoidosis in children.     

Pattern of response to prednisone in idiopathic, minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome as a criterion in selecting patients for cyclophosphamide therapy

Twenty-three children with idiopathic, relapsing minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome were divided according to their pattern of response to prednisone: (1) steroid dependent, if the relapse occurred while the dosage of prednisone was being decreased; and (2) frequent relapser, if the relapse occurred at variable periods of time (one week to two months) after discontinuing prednisone therapy. All patients received cyclophosphamide for eight weeks in a single daily dose of 2 mg/kg, in order to prolong the length of the remission. The percentage of patients who continued in remission at the end of the first year and thereafter was greater in the frequent relapser group (P = 0.05). This study suggests that the pattern of response to prednisone may be another criterion for the selection of patients who will benefit from cyclophosphamide therapy.     

Eight and 12 week courses of cyclophosphamide in nephrotic syndrome.

Seventy-three children with steroid dependent minimal change nephrotic syndrome were randomly allocated to receive treatment with cyclophosphamide (2 mg/kg/day) for either eight or 12 weeks, in combination with prednisolone. All patients had previously relapsed while the dosage was being reduced or within 14 days of discontinuing prednisolone in the six months before receiving cyclophosphamide treatment (steroid dependent), and had severe steroid toxicity. Thirty two patients were treated with cyclophosphamide for eight weeks, and 41 for 12 weeks. There were no differences between the two groups in age at onset of nephrosis or entry into the study, sex ratio, duration of nephrosis, number of relapses before entry, and follow up period after entry. The relapse free rate of patients treated for eight weeks (25%) was similar to that of those treated for 12 weeks (24%) five years after stopping the treatment, and the mean relapse free interval and the sparing effect of cyclophosphamide (if any) on subsequent treatment with steroids did not differ between the groups. We conclude that cyclophosphamide should be used for no longer than eight weeks at a dose of 2 mg/kg/day in children with steroid dependent minimal change nephrotic syndrome.     

Comparative efficacy of oral dexamethasone versus oral prednisone in acute pediatric asthma.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether 2 days of oral dexamethasone (DEX) is more effective than 5 days of oral prednisone/prednisolone (PRED) in improving symptoms and preventing relapse in children with acute asthma. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective randomized trial of children (2 to 18 years old) who presented to the emergency department with acute asthma. PRED 2 mg/kg, maximum 60 mg (odd days) or DEX 0.6 mg/kg, maximum 16 mg (even days) was used. At discharge children in the PRED group were prescribed 4 daily doses (1 mg/kg/d, maximum 60 mg); children in the DEX group received a prepackaged dose (0.6 mg/kg, maximum 16 mg) to take the next day. The primary outcome was relapse within 10 days. RESULTS: When DEX was compared with PRED, relapse rates (7.4% of 272 vs 6.9% of 261), hospitalization rates from the emergency department (11% vs 12%) or after relapse (20% vs 17%), and symptom persistence at 10 days (22% vs 21%) were similar. In the PRED group more children were excluded for vomiting in the emergency department (3% vs 0.3%; P =.008), more parents were noncompliant (4% vs. 0.4%; P =.004), and more children missed > or =2 days of school (19.5% vs. 13.2%; P =.05). CONCLUSION: In children with acute asthma, 2 doses of dexamethasone provide similar efficacy with improved compliance and fewer side effects than 5 doses of prednisone.     

Mycophenolate sodium for children with frequently relapsing or steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome

In this retrospective study, patients with idiopathic frequentlyrelapsing nephrotic syndrome (FRNS) (n=27) and steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS) (n=13) who received enteric coated mycophenolate sodium (ECMS) for at least 6 months, were included for analysis. Primary outcome was response to ECMS, which was defined as complete if there were no relapses, partial response if there was 1 relapse and no response if there were 2 or more relapses within 6 months of initiation. The mean (SD) dose of ECMS was 985.24 (190.82) mg/m²/day. Thirty patients(75%) had complete response, eight (20%) had partial and two (5%) patients did not respond at 6 months. ECMS seems to be a safe and effective as steroid sparing agent in children with FRNS/SDNS.