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Italian Journal of Pediatrics
Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Review

The Italian Society for Pediatric Nephrology (SINePe) consensus document on the management of nephrotic syndrome in children: Part I - Diagnosis and treatment of the first episode and the first relapse

Authors: Andrea Pasini, Elisa Benetti, Giovanni Conti, Luciana Ghio, Marta Lepore, Laura Massella, Daniela Molino, Licia Peruzzi, Francesco Emma, Carmelo Fede, Antonella Trivelli, Silvio Maringhini, Marco Materassi, Giovanni Messina, Giovanni Montini, Luisa Murer, Carmine Pecoraro, Marco Pennesi

Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

This consensus document is aimed at providing an updated, multidisciplinary overview on the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric nephrotic syndrome (NS) at first presentation. It is the first consensus document of its kind to be produced by all the pediatric nephrology centres in Italy, in line with what is already present in other countries such as France, Germany and the USA. It is based on the current knowledge surrounding the symptomatic and steroid treatment of NS, with a view to providing the basis for a separate consensus document on the treatment of relapses. NS is one of the most common pediatric glomerular diseases, with an incidence of around 2–7 cases per 100000 children per year. Corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment, but the optimal therapeutic regimen for managing childhood idiopathic NS is still under debate. In Italy, shared treatment guidelines were lacking and, consequently, the choice of steroid regimen was based on the clinical expertise of each individual unit. On the basis of the 2015 Cochrane systematic review, KDIGO Guidelines and more recent data from the literature, this working group, with the contribution of all the pediatric nephrology centres in Italy and on the behalf of the Italian Society of Pediatric Nephrology, has produced a shared steroid protocol that will be useful for National Health System hospitals and pediatricians. Investigations at initial presentation and the principal causes of NS to be screened are suggested. In the early phase of the disease, symptomatic treatment is also important as many severe complications can occur which are either directly related to the pathophysiology of the underlying NS or to the steroid treatment itself. To date, very few studies have been published on the prophylaxis and treatment of these early complications, while recommendations are either lacking or conflicting. This consensus provides indications for the prevention, early recognition and treatment of these complications (management of edema and hypovolemia, therapy and prophylaxis of infections and thromboembolic events). Finally, recommendations about the clinical definition of steroid resistance and its initial diagnostic management, as well as indications for renal biopsy are provided.
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Metadata
Title
The Italian Society for Pediatric Nephrology (SINePe) consensus document on the management of nephrotic syndrome in children: Part I - Diagnosis and treatment of the first episode and the first relapse
Authors
Andrea Pasini
Elisa Benetti
Giovanni Conti
Luciana Ghio
Marta Lepore
Laura Massella
Daniela Molino
Licia Peruzzi
Francesco Emma
Carmelo Fede
Antonella Trivelli
Silvio Maringhini
Marco Materassi
Giovanni Messina
Giovanni Montini
Luisa Murer
Carmine Pecoraro
Marco Pennesi
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Italian Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1824-7288
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-017-0356-x

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