P-32 A clinical profile of childhood nephrotic syndrome patients at a tertiary hospital in Guyana 2014-2023

Methods: The study is a retrospective cohort of patients enrolled in the pediatric nephrology clinic with nephrotic syndrome during the study period, where data on demographics, initial clinical and laboratory presentation, management, and necessary follow-up data including relapses and other complications was collected from the clinic notes and inpatient records. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized with statistical tests based on data type a p-value of <0.05 being accepted as the cut-off for statistical significance.

Results: A total of 99 patients we’re enrolled in the clinic during the time period; 65% (n=64) met criteria to be included in the study. There was a 1.2:1 male predominance and a mean age at diagnosis of 3.7 years ± 1.94 with a median of 3 years. The majority of patients were steroid sensitive at diagnosis (92.2%, n=59) with hypertension and microscopic hematuria being associated with steroid-resistance. There was a total of 166 relapses for the cohort with a rate of 0.67 relapses per patient year; and no associated demographic, clinical or laboratory features. There was one patient who developed CKD during the follow-up period.

Conclusion: There was no demographic, clinical or laboratory parameters that were useful in prediction of patient relapses. However, associations with steroid resistance were in keeping with findings of similar studies. Although longterm complication rates were low, close follow-up is necessary due to the remitting-relapsing course of the disease and treatment side effects.