Nephrotic syndrome is a rare kidney condition that causes too much protein to be lost in your child’s urine and too much water to be retained in their body.
About the urinary system and kidneys
In most cases, nephrotic syndrome can be treated with steroids. It is then known as steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS).
However, for some children, steroids do not work. In those cases, the condition is known as steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS).
In some cases, steroids work at first and then stop working, so the diagnosis changes from SSNS to SRNS.
1 in 5 children only have one episode of nephrotic syndrome. However 4 in 5 will have at least one relapse. Some children have frequent relapses. Their condition is then known as frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome.
Nephrotic syndrome affects around 2 in every 100,000 children.
SSNS affects around nine in 10 children with nephrotic syndrome.
SRNS affects around one in 10 children with nephrotic syndrome.
In some children with SRNS, a kidney biopsy shows that they have a specific type called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).
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