Prevalence of Allergies in Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

A BSTRACT Introduction: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common chronic kidney disease in children characterized by the leakage of protein through a pathologically altered glomerular filtration membrane. There is not much literature on a clear association between Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome (INS) and atopic disorder and the relationship between IgE and IL-13 in children with INS in relapse and remission. Thus, the present case-control study was conducted using the validated assessment tool i.e., the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire to determine the prevalence of allergies along with the estimation of IgE and IL-13 levels to determine their role in the pathogenesis and outcome of patients with NS. Methods: The present study was a hospital-based, case-control study, which was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak to determine the prevalence of allergies in children with Idiopathic NS. Fifty children with NS (Group I) were taken as cases and 50 age and gender-matched children (Group II) were taken as controls. Allergies were assessed by using the ISAAC Questionnaire, and IgE and IL -13 were determined by the ELISA technique. Results: Baseline demographics were comparable in both groups. The incidence of asthma was higher in Group I as compared to Group II and statistically significant. The mean serum IgE and IL -13 levels in Group I were higher as compared to Group II, and the difference was statistically significant, P value being <0.001. There was a moderate positive correlation between Serum IL-13 and Serum IgE (IU/ml). The incidence of rhinitis and eczema was also higher in Group I as compared to Group II; however, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Allergic conditions were frequently found in children with INS. Increased IgE and IL-13 may reflect the activation of an immune mechanism following various stimuli, which is ultimately a reflection of immune dysregulation, and it may have a role in the pathogenesis of INS.