ALBUMIN VERSUS FRESH FROZEN PLASMA IN MANAGING DIURETIC RESISTANT EDEMA IN CHILDREN WITH IDIOPATHIC NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

Abstract

Background: This study was carried out to compare the efficacy and outcome of albumin with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in the treatment of diuretic resistant edema in nephrotic syndrome

Methods: Sixty patients with idiopathic NS were enrolled in this prospective analytic study. Patients with moderate to severe edema with serum albumin <1.5 gm/dl were given albumin and FFP dividing into two groups. Group-A, received intravenous albumin- 1 gm/kg/day and Group-B intravenous FFP 15ml/kg/day. Total number of albumin and FFP infusion were determined by edema reduction.

Results: Diagnosis of NS and biochemical parameters were same in both groups. Dry weight was achieved in Group-A in 6.62± 3.15 days and in Group-B 6.65 ± 3.18 days. In GroupA the number of albumin infusion required was 1.42±0.62 and Group-B FFP infusion required was 3.11± 1.05 (p=0.0001). No significant complications were observed in both the groups.

Conclusion: FFP cost half than albumin and same duration required to reduce edema but with double number of infusion and it is safe in pediatric patients with NS presenting with moderate to severe edema.

Keywords: NS, Oedema, FFP, Albumin