Abstract OBJECTIVE: To understand the clinical and pathological characteristics of the membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and to explore the therapeutic methods. METHODS: The clinical characteristics, laboratory data, pathological findings and therapeutic methods were investigated retrospectively in the 5 patients with MPGN (aged 8-13 years). RESULTS: ①All five patients presented with nephritic-range proteinuria (>50 mg/kg· d) and haematuria, 4 patients had hypertension and low serum C_3 levels; and 2 patients, azotemia. ②Renal biopsies revealed mesangial hypercellularety and expanded mesangial matrix in 5 cases, glomerular lobulation, in 3 cases, and crescent formation, in 2 cases. The double contour of basement membrane occurred in 4 cases. Different degrees of tubulointerstitial damage occurred in 5 cases. Immunofluoroscence showed C_3 deposition in 5 cases. ③ All the 5 patients received prednisone combined with intravenous cyclophosplamide (CTX ) alone or added methyprednisolone together with pulse therapy. After treatment, 1 patient achieved a complete remission; 3, partial remission, and persistent nephropathy in 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggested that clinical manifestation in children with MPGN is characterized by nephritic nephrosis. The pathological changes are characterized by mesangial cells proliferation, expanded mesangial matrix and double contour of basement membrance. High dosage corticosteroids combined with CTX pulse therapy may be effective for improving the short outcome of MPGN.
