Steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is the most common form of nephrotic syndrome in children, but little is known about the etiology of the disease. To obtain new insights into its etiology, we investigated the serum IgE and skin-prick test (SPT) in children with SRNS. Forty-one children (25 boys and 16 girls) with SRNS in remission were included in this study. Their ages ranged from 2 to 13 years (mean 7.26±2.46 years). Controls induded 50 age and sex-matched healthy children. The mean serum IgE level was significantly increased in children with SRNS compared with controls (p<0.0001). The positive rates of SPT were not significantly different between the two groups (9/41 and 6/50, respectively). The patients with SRNS were found to be sensitized against one or more allergens, but in healthy children the only allergen was the house dust mite. In the patient group, there were no significant differences in the serum IgE levels and positive SPT between those with and without relapses. We conclude that serum IgE levels and the contents of SPT are correlated with the disease pathogenesis, although the rates of positive SPT in patients were not significantly different from those of controls.

Keywords: Steroide duyarlı nefrotik sendrom, çocuk, immunglobulin E, cilt testi, Steroid-responsive nephrotic syndrome, child, immunoglobulin E, skin-prick test