Effects of dexamethasone and gamma globulin combined with prednisone on the therapeutic effect and immune function of Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis in children.

BACKGROUND: Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis (HSPN) is a serious complication of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP), which is usually treated with immunosuppressant and glucocorticoid. This study was designed to explore the effect of dexamethasone and gamma globulin combined with prednisone in the treatment of pediatric HSPN. METHODS: According to the treatment plan, 60 children treated with dexamethasone and gamma globulin were included in the control group, and the rest 55 children treated with dexamethasone and gamma globulin combined with prednisone were selected as the research group. The clinical manifestations, therapeutic effect, immune function, serum inflammatory factors, blood coagulation function, urine routine, renal function, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The clinical manifestations of children in the research group were significantly better than those in the control group after treatment (P < .05). The total effective rate in the research group (94.55%) was markedly higher than that in the control group (76.67%) (P < .05). CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, IL-10, PT, and APTT increased while CD4+/CD8+, IgA, IL-8, TNF-α, FIB, urine protein, urine red blood cell, Scr, and BUN decreased in both groups after treatment, and the changes of all the above indexes in the research group were significant than those in the control group (P < .05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the research group was remarkably superior to that in the control group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone and gamma globulin combined with prednisone can improve the immune function of children with HSPN and promote the recovery of renal function.