Jabłońska Joanna
Studium Doktoranckie, Klinika Nefrologii, Transplantologii i Chorób Wewnetrznych Pomorskiej Akademii Medycznej w Szczecinie al Powstańców Wlkp 72, Szczecin.
Ann Acad Med Stetin. 2004;50(2):17-27.
Glicocorticosteroids (GS) are widely used for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome (NS), even though this form of therapy is associated with a spate of early and late side effects. The present study assessed physical development and function of vital organs in adults who were treated with GS for NS of childhood. 96 patients were compared with 15 controls. History-taking and anthropometric measurements were done in all patients. Kidney function, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, water-electrolyte balance and clotting factors were studied in 29 cases. Reference values for lithium clearance and fractional lithium excretion were calculated using results obtained in controls. Physical development of individuals with NS diagnosed in childhood did not differ from controls. However, their growth rate was greater than expected. The risk of overweight and obesity in this group was not higher than in the general population. However, disturbances of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, as well as impaired kidney function were more frequent in this group. Females appear to be at greater risk of coagulopathy as compared with males. Taking these findings into account, former NS patients treated with GS in childhood should be regularly examined with laboratory tests even if cured of the disease.
