Thyroid Profile in Idiopathic Childhood Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS), the most common glomerular disease of childhood, characterized by massive proteinuria which may have a negative impact on the circulating thyroid hormone status necessitating thyroid hormone supplementation in these children. Aim: The aim was to determine the thyroid status in steroid-sensitive NS during the time of relapse and remission. Materials and Methods: In this single-center prospective observational study, we documented thyroid hormone profile (thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH], thyroxine, and triiodothyronine) in fifty children at presentation (first attack or relapse) and again 4 weeks after remission. Baseline characteristics were noted in the prestructured proforma. Results: Out of the total fifty children analyzed, 29 were male and 21 females. Although both T3 and T4 levels were within the normal range in all participants during attack/relapse and in remission, there was a statistically significant difference in absolute levels of both T3 and T4 at relapse and remission (P = 0.001). There was a significant rise of TSH levels during attack/relapse which normalized to normal values after 4 weeks of remission (13.08 ± 7.9 vs. 2.43 ± 1.00 mIU/L,P = 0.0001). None required thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Conclusion: The rise of TSH level during relapse is mostly transient and usually does not require thyroid hormone supplementation.