Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria for study
First Presentation | First Relapse | Second Relapse | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Inclusion Criteria | Age | 1 to ≤17.5 years | 1 to ≤17.5 years | 1 to ≤17.5 years |
Proteinuria | > 3+ on dipstick; > 3 g/L on urinalysis; urine protein to creatinine ratio > 200 mg/mmol, for 3 consecutive days | > 3+ on dipstick; > 3 g/L on urinalysis; urine protein to creatinine ratio > 200 mg/mmol, for 3 consecutive days | > 3+ on dipstick; > 3 g/L on urinalysis; urine protein to creatinine ratio > 200 mg/mmol, for 3 consecutive days | |
Serum Albumin | < 25 g/L | < 25 g/L | < 25 g/L | |
Exposure to Glucocorticoids | No prior exposure to glucocorticoids | Could have prior exposure to glucocorticoids (at First Presentation) | Could have prior exposure to glucocorticoids (at First and Second Presentation) | |
Glucocorticoid sparing agents used | None | None | None | |
Exclusion Criteria | A primary disease associated with nephrotic syndrome (e.g. lupus, malignancy) | |||
Serum C3 concentration low; suggesting alternative cause of nephrotic syndrome | ||||
Patients ultimately shown to be glucocorticoid resistant will be excluded from the final analysis (but will continue to be followed) | ||||