Socio-Demographic Factors of Children with Nephrotic Syndrome and Their Clinical Correlation

Abstract

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a chronic kidney disease in children marked by variability in treatment response, potentially influenced by socio-demographic and clinical factors. In resource-limited settings such as Bangladesh, understanding these potential influences is crucial for tailored healthcare strategies. This study investigates the socio-demographic profile of children with nephrotic syndrome and its clinical correlation to treatment outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Dhaka Shishu (Children) Hospital over six months, involving 168 children with nephrotic syndrome selected through convenient purposive sampling. Data were collected via structured interviews, focusing on socio-demographic factors and clinical outcomes. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, with chi-square tests used to examine associations between socio-demographic factors and treatment response. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of the 168 participants, 61.31% were male, and half were aged 4 to 7 years. Most participants (70.24%) resided in rural areas, with 64.88% belonging to the lower socio-economic class. In terms of treatment response, 48.81% achieved remission, 38.10% experienced a relapse, and 13.10% were resistant to treatment. Although trends were observed, such as higher relapse rates among male children and resistance in females, no statistically significant associations were found between socio-demographic factors and treatment outcomes. Conclusion: The study highlights observed trends in socio-demographic characteristics and treatment outcomes in children with nephrotic syndrome in Bangladesh; however, no significant associations were identified. These findings underscore the importance of larger, more comprehensive studies to further investigate these variables and support the development of tailored management approaches in resource-limited settings.