Comparison of Serum IgE Level between Initial Attack and Relapse Cases of Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in Children

Abstract

Background: Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) is a common and recurrent glomerular disease in childhood. Although the exact etiology of NS is not fully known, it is believed that immune system plays a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. Studies have been reported a strong association between NS and increased level of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE). In addition, children with recurrent NS, the IgE level significantly increases, and there is a higher relapse rate.
 Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the difference of Serum IgE level between initial attack and relapse cases of idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome in children.
 Methodology: A cross sectional analytical study has been conducted on 35 initial attack and 35 relapse cases of idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome children admitted in the Department of paediatrics, Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital (SSMCMH), Dhaka from May 2021 to April 2022. Study subjects were enrolled by purposive sampling after confirming the diagnosis and fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Informed written consent was taken from each patient's legal guardian before enrollment. A detailed history and thorough physical examination was done in each patient on admission. With all aseptic precaution five ml of venous blood was collected and sent for serum albumin, serum cholesterol and serum IgE level measurement. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23.0. Independent sample t test or Mann-whitney test was used to compare data between groups. P value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant.
 Results: The mean age of the studied samples was 3.86 (ranging from 2 to 6 years). Moreover, among the studied sample male was a little bit greater than female. A significant prevalence of relapse cases were found among the children with middle income family status (P<0.05).Spot urine protein and creatinine ratio and serum cholesterol level was significantly higher in patients experience relapse attack (P<0.05). However, serum albumin level was quite similar in both cases. The mean serum IgE of patients experiencing relapse attack was 985.11+433.65 which was significantly higher than patients experiencing initial attack 470.48+227.35 (P<0.001). 
 Conclusion: This study showed that serum IgE levels are higher in relapse cases of Nephrotic Syndrome than that of initial attack. Furthermore, serum IgE is more in frequent relapse as compared to infrequent relapse. Serum IgE levels have a positive correlation with disease activity and relapse of Nephrotic Syndrome.