Mycophenolate Mofetil versus Cyclosporine in Children with Frequent Relapse Nephrotic Syndrome

Children with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome (FRNS) usually develop adverse effects of prednisolone and attempts to induce long-term remission in such patients have varying degrees of success. Materials and Methods: We conducted a randomized clinical trial in a tertiary care level hospital to compare the efficacy and safety of a 1-year treatment course with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and cyclosporine (CsA) in 60 pediatric patients with FR-SSNS. We assessed the relapse frequency as the primary end-point and evaluated the clinical and laboratory profile after 3 and 6 months of treatment. Results: The mean number of relapses was 1.50 ± 1.44 in the MMF and 0.72 ± 1.30 in the CsA group at 6 months (p=0.045). Diarrhea was statistically significant in the MMF group. Hypertrichosis and hypertension were statistically significant in the CsA group. There was no significant difference in the Hb level, lipid profile, and eGFR between the two groups. Conclusions: The results of the study showed MMF is inferior to CsA in preventing relapse in patients with FRNS. It is also less nephrotoxic.