All issues > Volume 38(7); 1955

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1955;38(7):946-954.

Effect of the Glucocorticoids on the Vertebral Bone Density in Children with the Nephrotic Syndrome

Jong Young JY Kim¹, Yong Hoon YH Park¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Yeungnam University Hospital, Taegu, Korea

Abstract

Purpose
: This study was conducted to evaluate that long term glucocorticoid treatment in children with the nephrotic syndrome can produce a significant loss of bone mass by measuring of bone mineral density(BMD)
Methods
: We measured BMD at lumbar vertebra(L2-L4) using dual enegy X-ray absorptiom-etry in 36 patients with the nephrotic syndrome who were administered prednisolone over 6 months and in 36 normal controls who were matched in according to Tanner stage.
Results
: BMD(g/cm2) showed decreased level in the nephrotic syndrome at Tanner stage II (0.621¡¾0.154) and Tanner stage 111(0.718¡¾0.186)compared with normal control(0.858 0.121 and 0.970 0.105, p<0.01). There were significant correlations between BMD and duration of treatment(y = 1.052-0,019x, r = -0.70, p<0.01), cumulative dose of corticosteroid(y= 1.193 - 0.090x, r = -0.70, p< 0.01)and standard deviation score of height(y = 0.050 x 0.764, r = 0.15, p<0.05). But, there were no significant correlations between BMD and serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosp-hatase and parathyroid hormone, respectively.
Conclusion
: BMD was decreased in children with nephrotic syndrome who received long term steroid treatment at Tanner stage II and III significantly. The diminution of BMD is correlated with duration of steroid administration, cumulative dose of steroid and retarded growth significantly.

Keywords :Nephrotic syndrome, Bone mineral density, Glucocorticoid