Patient's question:
Children with nephrotic syndrome taking prednisone tablets develop hair all over their face. Will the hair disappear after stopping the medication? Children with nephrotic syndrome taking prednisone tablets develop hair all over their face. Will the hair disappear after stopping the medication?Doctor's answer:
Analysis of the Condition: Hello, based on your description, the child has nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome (NS) can be caused by various etiologies and is characterized by a clinical syndrome of increased glomerular basement membrane permeability, manifesting as massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, severe edema, and hyperlipidemia. Corticosteroids primarily exert their anti-inflammatory effects. They can reduce exudation during acute inflammation, stabilize lysosomal membranes, decrease fibrin deposition, lower capillary permeability to reduce urinary protein leakage. The therapeutic response to corticosteroids largely depends on the pathological type of the disease, with minimal change disease showing the most rapid and certain efficacy.Guidelines for Treatment: Corticosteroids are the most important medications for treating nephrotic syndrome. The principles and regimens generally follow these guidelines:
① Initial adequate dosage: Prednisone is commonly used, taken orally for 8 weeks, which may be extended to 12 weeks if necessary;
② Gradual tapering: After adequate treatment, the original dose should be reduced by 10% every 2–3 weeks. When the dose is reduced to around 20 mg/day, symptoms are prone to recur, and the tapering should be made even slower;
③ Long-term maintenance: Finally, the minimum effective dose should be maintained for several months to half a year. Corticosteroids can be taken in a single daily dose or in alternating-day doses (e.g., two daily doses taken every other day) during the maintenance phase to reduce side effects.
Corticosteroids have significant side effects. Long-term use may lead to moon face, buffalo hump, and hirsutism. It is recommended to reduce or discontinue the medication according to the condition, as the side effects will gradually subside.