Evaluation of children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome in terms of allergies

Ren Fail. 2015 Apr;37(3):387-91. doi: 10.3109/0886022X.2014.996087. Epub 2015 Jan 19.

Abstract

Background: The etiology of minimal-change disease is not fully known, it is believed to be mediated by the immune system. Minimal-change disease also reported as having association with atopy. In this study, atopy history, the levels of serum IgE, and skin prick test in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome were investigated.

Methods: A group of 30 children (mean age 7.7 ± 2.2 years, 56.6% male) diagnosed with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome were included in the study. Serum immunoglobulin E levels and eosinophil counts were evaluated in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome both in relapse and remission. Skin prick test was performed in remission.

Results: Of the 30 children investigated, 11 (36.7%) had a history of atopy. The median serum total IgE levels in nephrotic children in relapse, with (445 IU/mL) and without atopy (310 IU/mL) were significantly higher than those in remission (respectively, 200 IU/mL, p = 0.021, and 42 IU/mL, p = 0.001). The skin prick tests for all the allergens were evaluated as negative in all the patients.

Conclusion: It was thought that increased IgE may reflect the activation of immune mechanism following various stimuli rather than a direct association with atopy in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome.

Keywords: Atopy; IgE; minimal change disease; nephrotic syndrome; skin prick test.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Eosinophils / immunology*
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity* / complications
  • Hypersensitivity* / diagnosis
  • Hypersensitivity* / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood*
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Nephrosis, Lipoid* / drug therapy
  • Nephrosis, Lipoid* / etiology
  • Nephrosis, Lipoid* / immunology
  • Nephrosis, Lipoid* / physiopathology
  • Patient Acuity
  • Skin Tests / methods
  • Statistics as Topic

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunoglobulin E