Abstract
Introduction: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome has been considered a cell-mediated immunity
disorder with T cell dysfunction.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate immunologic dysfunction in children
with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) by evaluating serum interleukin-18 (IL-18).
Patients and Methods: A total of 30 children with SSNS (n=20 males, n=10 females), aged
1–11 years were enrolled in this study. All of them were treated with steroids at the time of
study. Serum IL-18 was compared during both active and remission phases of nephrotic
syndrome. In addition, correlation between serum IL-18 with urine protein and serum
biochemical variables was evaluated.
Results: Mean serum IL-18 was higher in the active phase, and decreased significantly poststeroid treatment (4.87±1.43 ng/L versus 2.39± 0.94 ng/L; P=0.01). It had no correlation with
other variables.
Conclusion: According to increased serum IL-18 level, dysregulation of type-1 and type-2
mediated immune reactions is suggested in children with SSNS.