RESUMO
The aim of this study was to analysis epidemiological, clinical, biochemical and histopathological profile of INS in children and to document their management and their final course. A retrospective study of 57 children with INS hospitalized in the pediatric department of Monastir hospital from the 1st of January 1989 to the 31 th of December 1999 was conducted. The annual rate was of 3,2 cases 1000 admissions, sex ratio was of 1,28 with 32 boys and 25 girls. The mean age at the onset of the affection was of 5 years and 3 months. The renal biopsy was performed in 18 children. The histological finding were a minimal change histology in 50% of cases, a focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 33% of cases and membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis in 11% of cases. A cortico-therapy was initiated in all children. 87,5% of them were steroid sensitive. 22,4% of patients had steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome and 12,5% of patients had steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome. All children steroid resistant underwent immunosuppressive therapy; however chronic failure was observed in 57% of them. After a mean follow up period of 46 months, recovery was obtained in 48,2%, complete remission in 28,5% and death in 5,3% of cases.
