Abstract

Background: Nephrotic syndrome is a common childhood renal disorder, runs a chronic course with frequent relapses and remissions exposing child to frequent infections, necessitates repeated diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, frequent hospitalisation can adversely affect emotional balance and behavioural adaption of children and also treatment with steroids for prolonged periods adding to psychosocial issues and behavioral problems.
Objectives: This study was done to analyze the behavioral profile of children with Nephrotic syndrome.
Materials and Methods: We assessed the prevalence of behavior abnormalities in 65 children with nephrotic syndrome diagnosed at least 1 year back compared with equal no of age sex matched control children using the questionnaire Developmental Psychopathology Checklist (DPCL) in a tertiary care center from 5-18 years. We also assessed the statistical association between socio demographic, disease and treatment related variables and behavior profile in the nephrotic syndrome children group.
Results: Behavior abnormalities in children with nephrotic syndrome were 67.7% significantly higher than that in the control group (35.4%). The statistically significant behavioral abnormalities were hyperkinesis, conduct disorders and learning disorders. Frequency of relapses, age of onset of NS, duration of illness, duration of steroids and residence had no significant effect on its occurrence.
Conclusion: Significant behavioral problems are observed in children with NS which needs assessment and treatment.