Peritonitis in childhood nephrotic syndrome: 1970-1980
A. M. Krensky, J. R. Ingelfinger and W. E. Grupe
A retrospective review (1970 through 1980) of 351 children with idiopathic
nephrotic syndrome disclosed 24 episodes of peritonitis in 19 patients.
Twenty-six percent of the patients had more than one episode. Streptococcus
pneumoniae was the most common agent (50%), but Escherichia coli remained
important (25%). Four cases (16%) were culture-negative. Signs of
peritoneal irritation were present in all patients, including the 16
children receiving corticosteroid therapy. No morphological subtype of
nephrotic syndrome could be demonstrated to be at increased risk for the
development of peritonitis. Significantly decreased IgG levels and an
apparent susceptibility to pneumococcal infection among blacks may be
important risk factors.
