RESUMO
Eighteen children with primary MPGN were included in a double blind controlled study. Experimental group received prednisone and control group received lactose. Studies of renal biopsy on admission, at 3 yr (17 pt) and 5 yr (8 pt) were performed. Mean time of observation in both groups was similar (6.5 yr). Four patients of the control group developed ESRD and none of the experimental group. Two patients of the control and one of the experimental group remitted. Serial immunopathological studies showed decreasing mesangial cellularity, thickening of the capillary walls and deposits in both groups. Increase tubulointerstitial alterations and percentage of global sclerotic glomeruli was generally observed except in cases in whom proteinuria disappeared. Our results suggest that prednisone therapy may retard the development of ESRD in children with MPGN. However, longer periods of observation and greater number of cases are necessary to confirm if this treatment in useful.