Growth in Boys with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome on Long-term Cyclosporin and Steroid Treatment

Although steroid-free remission can usually be achieved with cyclosporin A (CsA) in patients with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS), some CsA-treated patients require long-term steroid therapy. Data on growth in these patients are scarce. Sixty-four boys with SDNS receiving long-term CsA and steroid therapy were retrospectively analyzed. During the 10-year follow-up period, height standard deviation score (HSDS) remained in the normal range in 47 patients but was below -2 SD in 17 patients. The occurrence of growth retardation was influenced by height at diagnosis and the number of relapses. Thirty patients were followed for at least 3 years before and after age 12. The decrease in HSDS per year of disease in patients older than 12 years was twice that observed in children younger than 12. However, adult height was < or = -2 SD in only two of the 14 patients reaching adult height, reflecting potential catch-up growth during late puberty. Careful monitoring of growth is recommended, given than up to 25% of patients experienced severe growth retardation during the course of their disease.