Bone Mineral Density in Children with Relapsing Nephrotic Syndrome

Background: given the high relapse rate of disease in childrenwith steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome and the osteoporoticeffect of long periods of steroid therapy, this survey was performedto find the bone mineral status of these patients.methods: bone mineral density and content (bmo and bmc)were measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in 37nephrotic children, six girls and 31 boys aged from four to 21yrs,as patient group and 37 age and sex-matched healthy individualsas control group. historical data were collected bychart review.results: as compared to the control group, the patients wereshorter in stature. the percentage of bmc of lumbar andbmo of femoral bones of the patients was significantlylower than control group. according to the warner method,12% of the patients were osteoporotic and the bmo of theirfemoral and lumbar bones was inversely correlated with cumulativesteroid dose.conclusion: bone loss can occur in some steroid-dependentnephrotic patients, especially those with low age of onset andthose with longer duration of the disease and higher cumulativedose of steroid. therefore, measurements of bmo and bmccould be recommended, at least, for the selected patients