Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in black African children

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) in black African children differs from that of children in temperate areas. The main differences are the high rate of corticosteroid non-responders and the low rate of minimal change glomer ulopathy in black African children, possibly related to a racial factor. Th e identification of a high corticosensibility in certain African regions (T ogo and Ghana) can lend to the identification of an ethnic factor. Further genetic studies should be carried out in order to provide a better approach to INS in Africa. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.