Comparison of Relapse Rate After 12 Weeks Verses 20 Weeks Steroid Therapy for the Management of First Episode of Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome: A Randomized Control Trial at Children Hospital, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad

All children from 1 to 8 years of age, diagnose with nephrotic syndrome for the first time, at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, from December 2020 to December 2022 will be included in the study.

Sample size was calculated by using WHO sample size calculator keeping level of significance 5%, power of test 90%, P1 21.6%7 and P2 59.3%8. The sample size is turned out to be 34 patients in each group with total of 68 patients.

The patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria will be registered at our nephrology clinic. Patients' bio data along with history and examination will be recorded on a proforma. They will be divided in two groups designated as A and B. Group A will receive steroid for 12 weeks and group B for 20 weeks. For group A regimen will be to administer prednisolone as a single dose of 60 mg/m2 once daily for 6 weeks, then 40 mg/m2 on alternate day for another 6 weeks and then stop. For group B prednisolone will be given as a single dose of 60 mg/m2 once daily for 6 weeks, then 40 mg/m2 on alternate day for another 6 weeks with tapering of 25% of alternate day dose fortnightly. Outcome will be measured in terms of number of relapses in the subsequent 1 years after stopping steroids.

For treatment of relapse Prednisolone will be given in the dose of 60 mg/m2 once daily till urine protein is negative or trace for 3 consecutive days, then 40 mg/m2 on alternate day for 1 month then stop. In case of frequent relapses and steroid dependent cases, relapses will be treated as follows; prednisolone 60 mg/m2 on alternate day till urine protein will be negative for 5days then 40 mg/m2 on alternate day for 1 month then with tapering at the rate of 5 mg fortnightly.

Children with congenital and infantile nephrotic syndrome, persistent hypertension, gross haematuria, family history of nephrotic syndrome and age below 1 year and above 8 years will be excluded from study.