Abstract / Summary
Background: Idiopathic steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is a major cause of pediatric chronic kidney disease, with limited data on cyclosporine efficacy in African populations. Aims and Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and outcomes of cyclosporine treatment in Sudanese children suffering from SRNS. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Soba University Hospital, Sudan, on 80 patients aged 3–16 years with idiopathic SRNS treated with cyclosporine between 2015 and 2020. Variables, including remission status, renal functions, exposure to cyclosporine, pathological findings, and adverse effects, were collected and analyzed descriptively and inferentially using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23. Results: The overall response rate was 73.7%, comprising complete remission in 52.5% and partial remission in 21.2%, while 26.3% were non-responders. Hypoalbuminemia and severe proteinuria significantly decreased post-treatment (P<0.05), and changes in creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Cyclosporine was associated with remission among approximately three-quarters of Sudanese children with idiopathic SRNS without showing any short-term worsening in their renal functions.