Aim: In the present study, we aimed to evaluate serum Mg concentration in children with nephrotic syndrome and highlight the relationship between Mg concentration and acute nephropathy.
Material and methods: We conducted a clinical study in 27 patients, aged 2 to 17 years, admitted to the Nephrology clinic of the Iasi "Sf. Maria" Children′s Hospital between 2011-2015, with the diagnosis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS), first episode or relapse. In each patient, we investigated serum urea and creatinine, total cholesterol, total serum proteins, serum magnesium, urinary proteins, creatinine clearance and renal histopathology. We also used a control group of 14 children with normal renal function.
Results: 12 patients had NS in the acute phase, 6 steroid responsive and 6 steroid resistant. The remaining 15 patients were in the remission phase of NS, 7 steroid responsive and 8 steroid resistant. Significantly decreased serum Mg levels were found in NS active group compared to control group. Renal histopathological analysis in steroid responsive patients revealed the following pathological aspects: optically normal glomeruli (1 case), minimal mesangial changes (5 cases), IgM nephropathy (4 cases), mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (4 cases).
Conclusions: The variations of serum and urinary Mg levels in children with acute nephropathy may be useful for early diagnosis and improving therapy.