Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and prealbumin (PA) serum concentration and bioimpedance parameters as selected markers of nutritional status in children with nephrotic syndrome.

Mean RBP4 serum concentration in children with nephrotic syndrome in remission did not differ significantly from healthy controls.

• Mean RBP4 concentration in NS children was 42.6 ± 11.6 mg/l compared to 42.0 ± 10.9 mg/l in the control group.
• The difference between groups was not statistically significant.
• Thirty nephrotic children with mean age 11.9 ± 4.6 years were enrolled and compared to healthy counterparts.
• RBP4 was measured in serum using standard biochemical methods.

Mean prealbumin (PA) serum concentration in children with nephrotic syndrome in remission did not differ significantly from healthy controls.

• Mean PA concentration in NS children was 540.1 ± 442.1 µg/ml compared to 372.8 ± 107.9 µg/ml in the control group.
• The difference between groups was not statistically significant despite the numerically higher mean value in the NS group.
• The NS group showed notably higher variability in PA concentration (SD 442.1 vs. 107.9 µg/ml).
• PA was assessed as a selected biochemical marker of nutritional status.

RBP4 concentration correlated positively with the age of the studied patients, while PA was not associated with age.

• A positive correlation between RBP4 and patient age was identified across the study population.
• PA did not show a significant association with age in this cohort.
• The patient age range spanned a mean of 11.9 ± 4.6 years, providing variability to detect age-related associations.

Neither RBP4 nor PA concentrations differed significantly based on remission status or clinical course classification.

• No significant differences in RBP4 or PA were found between children maintaining remission with immunosuppressive therapy versus those without active treatment.
• No significant differences were found when comparing steroid-sensitive NS versus frequently relapsing or steroid-dependent NS.
• Both markers were assessed across these clinical subgroups within the NS cohort of 30 children.

Body composition parameters measured by bioimpedance did not differ between children with nephrotic syndrome in remission and healthy controls.

• Body composition was assessed using the Tanita MC-980MA bioimpedance device.
• Selected bioimpedance parameters characterizing body composition showed no statistically significant differences between the NS group and controls.
• These findings were interpreted as indicating restored nutritional status in NS remission.

Nephrotic syndrome causes dysproteinemia in the acute phase that affects nutritional status, but its normalization in remission was previously unclear.

• NS results from renal loss of protein exceeding the body's compensatory abilities.
• Dysproteinemia in the acute phase of the disease inevitably affects the nutritional status of children.
• The study was designed to determine whether nutritional status fully normalizes in remission.
• The authors note it was previously unclear whether nutritional status would fully normalize in remission.