Hemorheological parameters of childhood nephrotic syndrome cases, in r
elapse and remission (n = 60 in each group), were studied and their re
sults were compared with those of an equal number of age and sex match
ed normal children free from any renal disease. During relapse, it was
noticed that the viscosity parameters, viz. plasma viscosity, red cel
l rigidity and whole blood viscosity, were deranged when compared to t
he values obtained in the remission period. These observations were st
atistically analyzed using t-test with the level of significance p = 0
.05. It was also noted that serum/plasma biochemistry played an import
ant role with regards to the fluidity of blood. During relapse period,
fibrinogen level was significantly high, which persisted at a high le
vel even during remission when compared to normal controls. The high c
holesterol and triglyceride levels during relapse were responsible for
a high plasma viscosity, increased red cell rigidity and thereby cont
ributed directly to a marked increase in whole blood viscosity. Total
protein and albumin levels were significantly decreased during relapse
when compared to remission period. Hence, hemorheological parameters
can be used for early detection of cases prone to relapse and could be
of prognostic significance.