Comparison of Sequential versus Concurrent Albumin and Furosemide in Pediatric Nephrotic Syndrome Patients: A Blinded Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Abstract

Objective: Comparing the effectiveness of sequential and concurrent administration of albumin and furosemide in reducing edema in children with nephrotic syndrome.

Method: A double blinded randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in patients diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome between 2 and 15 years of age. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups of 32 subjects. One group received an admixture of albumin and furosemide, and the other received furosemide immediately after the albumin infusion. The weight loss and urinary sodium concentration results were analyzed in each group.

Results: The comparison of the 2 groups demonstrated that the group that received albumin and furosemide sequentially had statistically significant weight loss. There was no significant difference in the amount of urinary sodium, as determined by random spot urine analysis in 9 subjects in each group, and no study drug-associated adverse effects were observed in any patient.

Conclusions: there was a significant difference between weight loss in the 2 groups that received albumin and furosemide simultaneously or sequentially and according to this study, the sequential method of furosemide administration after albumin infusion is the preferred method to reduce edema in pediatric patients with nephrotic syndrome.