Serum Antithrombin III Level In Children with Nephrotic Syndrome

Objectives: The aim of the study was to predict the possible risk of thromboembolic complication development in children with nephritic syndrome due to antithrombin III deficiency and to compare between serum levels of antithrombin III in patients with nephritic syndrome during both relapsing and after 6 weeks of the start of steroid treatment. Methods: This study was conducted in outpatient Nephrology Clinic of Children's Hospital, Fayoum University. It included 27 children with nephrotic syndrome to be followed during both relapse and after 6 weeks after start of steroid therapy, and 27 healthy children as control group. Results: There were significant decreases in antithrombin III, albumin and total proteins levels in the study group during relapse and after steroid therapy their levels were improved while there were significant increases in platelet count, cholesterol, triglycerides levels during relapse which also improved after steroid therapy. There was no thromboembolic complications detected among the study group. Conclusions: Antithrombin III level is significantly decrease in children with nephritic syndrome and despite of the hypercoagulable state no thromboembolic complications can be detected in children with nephrotic syndrome.