Trace elements in children suffering from idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE Trace elements play a significant role in several metabolic processes and often circulate in the blood binding to protein. The purpose of this study was to determine the status of selenium, zinc, and boron in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome patients in active and remission phases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fourteen patients and fourteen healthy age-matched controls were included in the study. The selenium, zinc and boron level in plasma and urine were measured by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. RESULTS The plasma levels of zinc and selenium were significantly lower in both active and remission patients (for all p=0.0001). The plasma boron level was significantly lower only in patients in active phase (p=0.0002 vs control). The concentrations of urinary boron and selenium were significantly higher during active phase compared with remission (p=0.0003 and 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION Supplementation with zinc, selenium and boron may be justified in patients suffering with this disease.