Urinary tract infection and remission of proteinuria in childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome

Abstract

Background: Nephrotic syndrome is one of the most common renal diseases in childhood and infection is one of the most important complications in this disease. Infection increases the mortality and morbidity of this type of patients. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common of the infections. Objective: To find out an association between UTI and remission of proteinuria in childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). Methods: It was a prospective study conducted in pediatric department in Rangpur Medical College Hospital. Sixty INS patients of both sex aged 12 years were included in this study. Data were collected by history taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations and followed up. Patients were followed up till cure of UTI and remission of proteinuria. Data were analyzed by computer using SPSS for windows. Chi-square test was applied to verify an association between UTI and remission of proteinuria. Results: A total of 60 INS patients, 37(61.6%) patients had UTI and the rest 23 (38.4%) patients had not UTI. Remission of proteinuria occurred earlier in 73% (17/23) patients of nephrotic syndrome without UTI. It was 64% (24/37) among the cases with UTI. Conclusion: UTI causes delayed remission of proteinuria in childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. It should be screened and treated in every childhood INS patient.