Using Montelukast as an Add-on Treatment in Nephrotic Syndrome Pediatrics: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study

Background: Montelukast, as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, could reduce inflammation in nephrotic syndrome (NS). This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of montelukast as adjunctive therapy in pediatric NS. Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on patients with NS. The patients were assigned into two equal groups (N = 25 in each) of intervention (steroid + montelukast) and control and treated for one month. One month later, in the follow-up stage, their proteinuria was measured. The results before and after treatment were statistically analyzed by SPSS software version 21, and the final report of the project was presented. Results: The age of participants in the intervention and control groups was 7.26 ± 4.23 and 6.79 ± 3.91 years, respectively (P = 0.68), and there were 10 female participants in both groups (P = 1.0). Albumin levels in 96% of the control group and 76% of the intervention group were 1.5 - 2.5 μg/dL (P = 0.037). Also, 48% of participants in the control group were corticosteroid dependent, and 60% of participants in the intervention group responded to corticosteroids (P = 0.194). The severity of nephrotic syndrome was moderate in 60% of participants in the control group and mild in 60% of participants in the intervention group (P = 0.138). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that recovery rate was higher in the intervention group, but the difference was not statistically significant.