Abstract

Objective: To determine histological patterns of idiopathic steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) among children visiting Nephrology department of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.
Methodology: This cross-sectional observational retrospective study was conducted at Children’s Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from April 2018 to May 2019. Data of 45 children under 12 years of age, presenting with steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome, who underwent renal biopsy were included in the study. Both light microscopy and immunofluorescence techniques were used. Age, gender, clinical indications, biochemical, urinary parameters and histopathological patterns were included in analysis.
Results: Out of 45 patients, 56% were males; age range was 10 months to 12 years (mean 3+1.2). The most prevalent histopathological pattern was Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), seen in 10 (22%) patients followed by Minimal Change Disease (MCD) in 9 (20%), Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in 7 (15.5%) and IgM Nephropathy in 6 (13%) patients.
Conclusion: FSGS was the most common histological pattern underlying idiopathic SRNS among pediatric patients, followed by MCD in our study population.

Key words: Steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome, histopathology, children, FSGS.