Corticotropin (ACTH) therapy of nephrotic syndrome in children. II. Laboratory findings in one hundred six instances.

Abstract

In a previous report we have described the clinical results and the changes in proteinuria in a total of 106 instances of nephrotic syndrome in children treated, usually for 28 days, with corticotropin (ACTH),* 100 to 200 units per day, a very low-sodium high-potassium diet, and penicillin.1The alterations in the formed elements of the blood, in serum and blood solutes, and in urinary reducing substances and 17-ketosteroids prior to, during, and following therapy are herein presented. Materials and Methods Erythrocyte, leukocyte, and differential blood cell counts; the hemoglobin content; the levels of whole-blood nonprotein nitrogen and sugar; the presence of reducing substances in the urine (Benedict's test); the concentrations of carbon dioxide, chloride, sodium, potassium, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and cholesterol in serum, and the 24-hour excretion rates of urinary 17-ketosteroids were measured at approximately weekly intervals before, during, and after therapy by methods in