but additional treatments may also be used if a child develops significant side effects
additional
significant
The main treatment for nephrotic syndrome is steroids, but additional treatments may also be used if a child develops significant side effects.
Most children will have relapses and will need to take steroids when these occur
relap
Your child may be referred to a childhood kidney specialist (paediatric nephrologist) for tests and specialist treatment.
paediatric nephrologist
When they are first diagnosed, your child will normally be prescribed at least a four week course of the steroid medicine prednisolone
This will need to be taken every day, followed by another four weeks where the medication is taken every other day. This stops protein leaking from your child's kidneys into their urine.
When prednisolone is prescribed for short periods, there are usually no serious or long-lasting side effects, although some children may experience increased appetite, weight gain, swollen cheeks and mood changes. Read more about the side effects of prednisolone.
Most children respond well to treatment with prednisolone, with the protein often disappearing from their urine and the swelling going down within a few weeks. This period is known as remission.
Diuretic