Bone Densitometry in Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

Abstract

Childhood nephrotic syndrome (NS) is defined by nephrotic-range proteinuria, generalized edema, hypoalbuminemia, and hyperlipidemia with normal renal function. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a two-dimensional imaging technology developed to assess bone mineral density (BMD) of the entire human skeleton.The aim of our study to assess bone mineral density among pediatrics with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome undergoing corticosteroids treatment.This study was a cross sectional study, which was done on 30 cases with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome undergoing corticosteroids treatment (at Nephrology clinic pediatric department Benha University Hospital) in the period from January 2019 till June 2019, the other group formed of 25 children with age and sex matched to the first group and apparently healthy, considered as a control group. The following investigations were done (serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), phosphorous (P),calcium (total and ionized; Ca),alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH).BMD was measured. There was highly statistically significant increase in PTH, Ph, and ALP among Cases than Controls. There was statistically significant decrease in Ca among Cases than Controls. There was highly statistically significant decrease in z score, BMD and BMC among Cases than Controls. Patients with INS would have BMD deficits when compared to their peers. Osteopenia and osteoporosis assessed by DXA was frequent in children with INS.Bone mineralization was negatively affected by steroid treatment in children with INS.