General Report

Clinical analysis of 15 children with primary nephrotic syndrome complicated with adrenal crisis

  • Zhicai SUN ,
  • Yuling LIU ,
  • Xiaolin LI ,
  • Xiaofen PAN
Expand
  • Department of Pediatrics, Boai Hospital of Zhongshan Zhongshan 528403, Guangdong, China

Received date: 2022-06-27

  Online published: 2023-08-10

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) complicated with adrenal crisis (AC) in children. Methods Clinical data of 15 patients with primary nephrotic syndrome complicated with adrenal crisis in the department of Pediatrics, Boai Hospital, Zhongshan City from January 2010 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Results The average age of the patients was 6.25±1.81 years old (4.75-12 years old), including 9 males and 6 females. The course of disease was 2.74±1.33 years (1-6 years). Inducement: Glucocorticoid dose reduction or withdrawal in 8 cases, respiratory tract infections in 5 cases, and no obvious triggers in 2 cases. Clinical manifestations: Gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting were found in 11 cases, circulatory failure manifestations such as low blood pressure and oliguria in 7 cases, hyponatremia in 8 cases, hyperkalemia in 4 cases, and hypoglycaemia in 2 cases, All the children were accompanied by neurological symptoms of varying degrees (such as dizziness, debilitation, malaise or irritability, etc.). Serum cortisol: Random serum cortisol level of 9 children with digestive tract or early shock symptoms was 37.6±15.7 nmol/ L (15.3-52.7 nmol/ L), fasting serum cortisol level was 56.3±18.9 nmol/ L (21.6-73.4 nmol/L) at 8 am in 6 patients. Treatment and prognosis: Symptoms were effectively controlled in all children after 2-3 days of intravenous hydrocortisone treatment. After follow-up to June 2022, 11 cases of PNS were cured, 4 cases of PNS were still under treatment, and there was no recurrence of AC. Conclusion Primary nephrotic syndrome in children with adrenal crisis is mainly caused by hormone abatement or infection, and the symptoms of digestive and circulatory system are the main manifestations. Early identification and timely treatment have a good prognosis.

Cite this article

Zhicai SUN , Yuling LIU , Xiaolin LI , Xiaofen PAN . Clinical analysis of 15 children with primary nephrotic syndrome complicated with adrenal crisis[J]. Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, 2023 , 41(8) : 610 -612 . DOI: 10.12372/jcp.2023.22e0900

References

[1] Broersen LH, Pereira AM, J?rgensen JO, et al. Adrenal insufficiency in corticosteroids use: systematic review and meta-analysis[J]. Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2015, 100(6): 2171-2180.
[2] Rushworth RL, Gouvoussis N, Goubar T, et al. Acute illness in children with secondary adrenal insufficiency[J]. Clin Endocrinol(Oxf), 2021, 94(6): 913-919.
[3] 杨帆, 蒋小云. 儿童激素敏感、复发/依赖肾病综合征诊治循证指南(2016)[J]. 中华儿科杂志, 2017, 55(10): 729-734.
[4] Bornstein SR, Allolio B, Arlt W, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of primary adrenal insufficiency: an endocrine society clinical practice guideline[J]. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2016, 101(2): 364-389.
[5] Abu Bakar K, Khalil K, Lim YN, et al. Adrenal insufficiency in children with nephrotic syndrome on corticosteroid treatment[J]. Front Pediatr, 2020, 8: 164.
[6] Prete A, Bancos I. Glucocorticoid induced adrenal insufficiency[J]. BMJ, 2021, 374: n1380.
[7] 周楠, 付倩. 儿童肾病综合征合并肾上腺危象的识别和治疗[J]. 中国小儿急救医学, 2021, 28(7): 567-570.
[8] Hurtado MD, Cortes T, Natt N, et al. Extensive clinical experience: hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis recovery after adrenalectomy for corticotropin-independent cortisol excess[J]. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf), 2018: 89(6): 721-733.
[9] Ahmet A, Mokashi A, Goldbloom EB, et al. Adrenal supression from glucocorticoids: preventing an iatrogenic cause of morbidity and mortality in children[J]. BMJ Paediatr Open, 2019, 3(1): e000569.
Outlines

/