[Clinical study on low-dose rituximab maintenance therapy in children with primary nephrotic syndrome].

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of low-dose rituximab (RTX) (<375 mg/m²) maintenance therapy in children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of PNS children who received low-dose RTX therapy at the Department of Renal Immunology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University from July 2016 to March 2024. Remission rate, recurrence frequency, corticosteroid and tacrolimus usage, and adverse reactions before and after RTX treatment were analyzed.

RESULTS

Compared with before treatment, low-dose RTX maintained remission in PNS, reduced the relapse frequency, and decreased the dosage of corticosteroids and tacrolimus (P<0.05). IgG levels did not significantly decrease, and no additional preventive anti-infective treatment was required.

CONCLUSIONS

Low-dose RTX therapy is effective and safe for treating PNS in children.