Case of a three-year-old boy from Delhi, Master A. S (Patient Identification Number: 14896) was brought to Life force for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome on 29th September 2010. He was suffering from nephrotic syndrome since past two years i.e. from the age of one. Detailed case-taking revealed that he had suffered from three to four attacks of nephrotic syndrome in last two years. His condition was diagnosed as steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome since the episodes came when the steroid was stopped or doses were reduced. He suffered from frequent cold, cough, earaches and gastric infections. As a result the condition relapsed with every episode of acute infections which is a characteristic of nephrotic syndrome. However, he didn't develop swelling of face or extremities. In the recent episode that he developed, the urine protein was found to be three+.

Along with increased proteins in urine, child also developed severe headaches and body pain during the episodes. Parents revealed that he would become very lethargic especially after taking the steroidal medications.

He was under conventional treatment supervised and managed by a nephrologist who prescribed him omnacortil (steroid). It is a common prescription for managing nephrotic syndrome. The dose administered was 5 mg once in a day every alternate day. This medicine has been administerd to him in increasing doses from the time he had developed this condition. He was also administered Dicaris 37.5 mg every alternate day. His parents also reported that during the episodes of nephrotic syndrome he would become very cranky. His irritability increased and he cried a lot. He also became sensitive over trivial issues.

Inquiry about the general health, revealed that he suffered from recurrent gastric infections since last one to two months. He passed semisolid offensive stools two to three times a day during the episodes. He also developed uneasiness in the abdomen during the acute gastric infections.

He preferred vegetarian food. His appetite was average. He had no specific likes or dislikes regarding food. He had average perspiration. He was sensitive to both hot and cold weather. However his bowel movements were not clear. He passed loose semisolid stools.

Upon inquiring about his childhood development, his parents informed that all his milestones were achieved on time and were normal. His mother had developed breathlessness during pregnancy for which she had taken inhalers intermittently.

His family consisted of himself, his mother, father and a four-year-old elder brother. He attended playgroup. His mother was a home-maker and father was owner of a trading business of FMCG goods. His elder brother was in kindergarten.

He was well-supported by his family. He was mild in nature and appeared little nervous. He was very cranky and cried over petty things.

He had a strong family history of diabetes mellitus. His paternal grandparents as well as his paternal uncle suffered from diabetes mellitus. His grandmother suffered from eczema. His maternal aunt was a patient of underactive thyroid.

After the detailed case-taking, the case was studied in detail by Dr Shah. He prescribed him Silicea 30 (two doses) as well as his research based medicines for one month and he was advised to follow-up . His parents were guided to continue cortisone along with Lifeforce medicines since sudden withdrawal of steroids are known to cause relapse of nephrotic syndrome.

His parents contacted Lifeforce after six weeks on 18th November 2010 for 1st follow-up. They reported that urine proteins were found to be two+ and one+ on two separate occasions during routine urine check-up. This showed that the condition was improving. His parents also reported that he suffered from cough since last two to three days but the intensity of this episode was much lesser than the previous episodes. He was advised to take medicines regularly.

His parents reported for follow-up on 10th December 2011. His parents happily reported that there has been no acute episode of nephrotic syndrome since the treatment had commenced at Lifeforce. Urine proteins were found to be absent since last four and half months. There was no episode of any minor infections reported. In September the dosage of cortisone was reduced as per the advise of his conventional doctor.

His parents reported for follow-up on 3rd March 2012. He had made significant recovery in nephrotic syndrome. Urine protein continued to be found absent. His overall health was also reported to be better. The cortisone was stopped as per the suggestion of the nephrologist.

His parents contacted for follow-up on 19th June 2012. He had no relapse of nephrotic syndrome. Urine proteins were found to be normal consistently. He reported that he had suffered from chicken pox recently and was taking conventional treatment. Although nephrotic syndrome has a tendency to relapse during infections, he had no relapse even during the episode of chicken-pox. This showed that he had made profound recovery. He was on regular treatment from Lifeforce.

The recovery of the boy was spectacular. Tablet Dicaris which he was taking also stopped in September 2013. He continued with treatment at Lifeforce. Regular follow-ups were done and no history of relapse or presence of urine proteins was reported. He was well managed with homeopathic medicines at Lifeforce in absence of steroids or any immunosuppressant drugs.

This case highlights the fact that a well-chosen remedy and regular follow-ups can bring a considerable recovery in a patient of nephrotic syndrome. In this case parents continued to take long term treatment for his child even in the absence of relapses which helped the patient to have great results.

(Uploaded on 13th September 2015 by Dr P. S.)