Acute renal failure of short duration in minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome of childhood.

Two boys 12 and 8 years of age with biopsy proven minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome developed acute renal failure during the course of their illness. Renal failure developed in the first boy at the time of onset of his nephrotic syndrome while in the second boy it occurred at the time of a relapse of his disease, 5 1/2 years after onset. Both patients had a complete resolution of renal failure and nephrosis following peritoneal dialysis and oral prednisone. Acute renal failure requiring dialysis is an unexplained and rare complication of minimal lesion nephrotic syndrome in adults and children.