Abstract:
Objectives In this study, we aimed to find out
whether children with minimal change disease can be
classified as hypervolemic by objective measures.
Methods Eighteen children with minimal change
disease diagnosed at our department between November
2005 and May 2007 were included in this study.
All patients were newly diagnosed or relapsed but
were steroid free for at least 6 months. In the first
week of edema and when edema resolved (5–7 days
after initiation of therapy), weight, height and blood
pressure were obtained from all patients. Serum and
plasma samples were taken following a starvation
period of 12–14 h. The volume load of all patients
was evaluated, measuring the inferior vena cava
indices in each stage by echocardiography.
Results Average weight at presentation was 8.5%
higher than the ideal (dry) weight. There were
significant differences between the first and posttreatment body weights, abdomen circumference, and
systolic and diastolic blood pressure values (P\0.05
for each). The inferior vena cava index (IVCI) values
decreased significantly after diuretic treatment
(P\0.001), while inferior vena cava collapsibility
index (IVCCI) values increased in the post-treatment
period (P\0.001).
Conclusion We believe that a close follow-up of
hypervolemic children with MCD, treated solely with
easy-to-handle diuretics instead of I.V. albumin and
diuretics may properly solve the edematous state in
these patients.
