Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

Steroids achieve remission in 90% of children with nephrotic syndrome. Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is the most common acquired glomerulopathy in children, with an incidence of 1.5–3.4 per 100,000 in Western countries. Anti-nephrin autoantibodies have recently been identified in childhood nephrotic syndrome, supporting a humoral autoimmune cause. 80% of SSNS patients relapse after the first episode, and 50–60% become either steroid-dependent or frequently relapsing. Steroid-dependent and frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome patients bear high morbidity from both relapse complications and cumulative drug toxicity.