ObjectiveGlucocorticoid is a first-selected medicine for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome (NS). But glucocorticoid can repress ossification and result in osteoporosis. This research examined the concentrations of biochemical markers of osteoblasts at different differentiation stages to explore the effects of glucocorticoid on osteoblast function in children with NS.Methods Serum procollagen type I c-terminal propeptide (PICP), bone Gla protein (BGP) and total alkaline phosphatase (AKP) were detected in 30 healthy children, 30 prednisone-treated NS children (2 mg/kg·d for 4-8 weeks) and 30 untreated NS children.Results Serum concentrations of PICP (165 ±56 μg/L vs 205 ±81 μg/L)and BGP (15±9 ng/L vs 19±12 ng/L)were significantly lower in untreated NS children than those in healthy controls (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in serum total AKP between the two groups. As compared with the untreated NS children, PICP (85 ±56 μg/L), BGP (8±5 ng/L) and AKP (104 ±59 U/L) in the prednisone-treated NS children were significantly lower (P<0.01). Conclusions There is a decreased bone composition in NS children. High-dose of glucocorticoid treatment for NS can further inhibit osteoblast composition.