Mycophenolate mofetil in treatment of childhood steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome.

Objectives: To establish the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome and to determine the predictive factors for a good response.

Methods: retrospective hospital-based cohort study in the department of pediatric of Charles Nicolle hospital, between 2005 and 2012 included 30 children with steroid-dependent nephritic syndrome who were treated with MMF.

Results: A total of 30 patients (20 boys and 10 girls) were included. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 5.45 years and treatment with MMF was performed at a mean age of 10.84 years. Side effects of steroid were found in 17 patients. Four patients had renal impairment (ciclotoxicity). The evolution of the disease was 5.45 years. The average rate of relapse was 1.75 relapses / year. The minimum dose of corticosteroids was 0.74 mg / kg / day. During MMF therapy, the average rate of relapse was 0.45 relapses / year (p<0.0001). The average residual steroid dose was 0.2 mg/kg/ day. Responding patients were younger at the onset of MMF (8.57 versus 12.83, p=0.009), had a short development period (3.75 vs 7.03 years, p=0.05), had not received cyclosporine (p=0.02).

Conclusion: MMF allows steroid sparing and reduces the number of relapse. It is more effective than the patients are young, with short disease outcome and had not previously been treated with cyclosporine.