Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Childhood nephrotic syndrome is frequently characterized by a relapsing course. Due to their adverse effects, the use of corticosteroids for the management of frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome is limited. Levamisole, a steroid sparing agent, has been found to have low toxicity. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of levamisole in steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SDNS). 

Methods: In this retrospective study from January 1988 to September 2006, we included data from 305 pediatric SDNS patients at the Children's Medical Center clinics in Tehran, Iran. Nephrotic syndrome was diagnosed using classic criteria. None of the patients had any signs or symptoms of secondary causes of nephrotic syndrome. All had received prednisolone 60 mg/m²/day. After remission, prednisolone administration was reduced to every other day and the steroid was tapered over the next three months. With every recurrence, prednisolone was prescribed with the same dosage, but after remission it was continued at a lower dosage for another six months or longer if there was risk of recurrence. Levamisole was administered to all patients at a dose of 2 mg/kg every other day.         

Results: Patients ranged in age from 1 to 20 years (mean±SD: 4.84 ±3.1) and 70.8% were male. At the last follow up, 84 (27.5%) were in remission, while 220 (72.1%) patients had relapsed or needed a low dose of steroid. Levamisole was effective in reducing the prednisolone dosage and long-term remission in 68 (22.3%) and 90 (29.5%) cases, respectively. A comparison of before vs. after levamisole treatment revealed a had significant decrease in the number of relapses (2.05±0.88 vs. 1.1±1.23 P<0.0001) and the prednisolone dosage (0.74±0.39 vs. 0.32±0.38 mg/kg/day P<0.0001). Only one patient developed levamisole-induced neutropenia.

Conclusions: In childhood steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, levamisole is an efficacious, safe initial therapy in maintaining remission while decreasing steroid dose, in addition to reducing the rate of relapse.