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Deflazacort, an oxazoline derivative of prednisolone, has been claimed to have anti-inflammatory effects with fewer side effects compared to prednisone. The objectives of the study were to evaluate efficacy and safety of deflazacort in children with nephrotic syndrome. Eligible Patients were the children with nephrotic syndrome who were treated with deflazacort from October. 1994 to April. 1999. Nephrotic syndrome was defined as having albumin level of less than 2.5 mg/dL and 24-hour urinary protein excretion of greater than 40;mg/m^2/hr. The primary parameters evaluating the efficacy of deflazacort were response rate, time to respond and relapse frequency. The safety profiles were the impact on children’’s growth, calcium sparing effect, glucose metabolism, lipid profile and adverse drug reactions. As results, total of 60 children were evaluated (47 boys, 13 girls). Response rate was 95% (57/60) for initial and late responders. Median time to respond was 12 days (range 7-110 days) and median relapse frequency was one time (range 0-6). Weight/height ratio increased from 22.05pm3.47;to23.20pm3.44;kg/m (p<0.001) and plasma calcium level, from 7.55pm3.86;to;9.98pm3.77;mg/dL after treatment (p<0.001). Change of fasting glucose level was not statistically significant (91.92pm3.53;vs.;98.19pm4.78;mg/dL,;p=0.072), while change of total cholesterol was significant (362.3pm12.0;vs;251.4pm11.5;mg/dL, p<0.001). In conclusion, patients on deflazacort showed similar efficacy in treatment of nephrotic syndrome as reported for prednisone with less impact on growth inhibition and metabolic side effects of hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia.
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