Frequency of posterior cataract in steroid-dependent or frequent relapse nephrotic syndrome in children.

Objective: To determine the frequency of posterior cataract in steroid-dependent or frequent relapse nephrotic syndrome (NS) in children presenting to National Institute of Child Health (NICH), Karachi. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Pediatrics, NICH, Karachi. Period: September 2022 to February 2023. Material & Methods: We enrolled children of both genders aged between 2 to 15 years with NS (frequent relapsing or steroid dependent) who were taking steroid for at least 6 months. Baseline demographic information of patients including age and gender along with duration of NS, duration of steroid treatment, present doses of steroid, and total cumulative dose of steroid were noted. Ophthalmological examination was carried out from ophthalmology department by slit lamp examination and the frequency of posterior cataract was noted. Results: In a total of 154 children, 84 (54.5%) were girls. The mean age was 3.41±1.33 years. The most common presenting features/complaints were periorbital edema, fever and pedal edema reported in 112 (72.7%), 56 (36.4%) and 36 (23.4%) children respectively. The posterior cataract was found to be present among 23 (14.9%) children. Age (p<0.001), frequent relapse (p=0.001), increased duration of NS (p<0.001), duration of steroid treatment (p<0.001), number of relapses (p<0.001) and total cumulative dose of steroids (p<0.001) were significantly associated with posterior cataract. Conclusion: The frequency of posterior cataract among children having frequent relapse or steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome was 14.9%. Duration of nephrotic syndrome, duration of steroid treatment, number of relapses and cumulative steroid treatment dose were significantly linked with posterior cataract.