India, April 27 -- A nationwide trial led by Flinders University will seek to transform how children are treated for nephrotic syndrome, a rare and potentially life-threatening kidney condition affecting 1 in 50,000 children annually.

Characterised by the leakage of protein into the urine, leading to severe swelling, blood clotting, and susceptibility to infections, nephrotic syndrome is currently treated with oral prednisolone, a high-dose steroid treatment.

"Corticosteroid therapy has been the gold standard of care for nephrotic syndrome since the 1960s, and while this does save lives, it comes with significant side effects including weight gain, behaviour changes, infections and impaired growth," says trial chief investigator Profess...