Comparing the effects of 8 weeks and 12 weeks of corticosteroid therapy on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in children with nephrotic syndrome in the recovery phase

Background: Nephrotic syndrome is a relatively common problem in childhood that can be caused by various diseases. These patients are susceptible to osteoporosis due to the nature of the disease and the complication of steroid therapy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in children with nephrotic syndrome in the recovery phase and under the two different treatment regimens. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 68 children with primary nephrotic syndrome referred to the Nephrology Clinic of Besat Hospital in Hamedan in 2014. Thirty-four patients were treated for 8 weeks and 34 patients were treated for 12 weeks. The two groups were matched for age and sex. At the end of the treatment, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured and compared in the two groups and the rate of relapse was also assessed. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in age and sex. The mean of vitamin D levels in the 8-week treatment group was significantly higher than the other group (21.61±11.39 and 16.18±9.79, respectively), and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.039). Absence of relapse was 47.1% in the 8-week treatment group and 73.5% in the 12-week treatment group, this difference was also statistically significant (P= 0.026). Conclusion: The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the 12-week treatment compared to the 8-week treatment. However, vitamin D levels significantly decreased in this treatment group compared to the other group.