What is a sign of effective treatment when a child is on prednisone for nephrotic syndrome?

In the context of a child undergoing treatment for nephrotic syndrome with prednisone, a decrease in edema is a significant indicator of effective treatment. Prednisone, a corticosteroid, works by reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune response, which can help alleviate the symptoms of nephrotic syndrome, including edema.

When treatment is effective, the body's ability to retain fluid improves, leading to a reduction in swelling, particularly in areas like the abdomen, face, and ankles. This decrease in edema indicates that the body's protein levels are stabilizing, renal function is improving, and the urinary protein loss is decreasing, which overall signifies that the treatment is having a positive impact on the child's condition.

Monitoring edema as a clinical sign is crucial because nephrotic syndrome is characterized by significant fluid retention due to loss of protein in the urine, leading to decreased oncotic pressure. Therefore, a decrease in edema reflects an improvement in renal function and resolution of one of the hallmark symptoms of nephrotic syndrome, demonstrating that the therapy is effective.