#AI reads Urine# Urinary vitamin D binding protein levels in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: a biomarker differentiating steroid sensitive from steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome

This study aimed to evaluate the significance of urinary vitamin D binding protein levels in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. The main subjects included 63 children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in the active phase (comprising three types: first episode, relapsing, and steroid-resistant), 17 children in remission, and 11 healthy children as controls. Urinary vitamin D binding protein levels were detected using a kit, and analysis was conducted in combination with other indicators. The results showed that the urinary vitamin D binding protein levels in children in the active phase were significantly higher than those in healthy children and children in remission, and the more severe the condition (from first episode to relapsing, then to steroid-resistant), the higher the level of this protein. When 12 ng/mL was used as the cut-off value, this protein had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97.9% in distinguishing steroid-sensitive from steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. It could also distinguish between the two pathological subtypes of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, namely focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and minimal change disease. Meanwhile, the level of this protein was positively correlated with the urine protein/creatinine ratio and negatively correlated with serum albumin, and its level decreased significantly when the condition was in remission. The study finally concluded that the level of urinary vitamin D binding protein is related to the disease activity of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children. It can not only distinguish between steroid-sensitive and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome but also differentiate the two pathological subtypes of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, thus serving as an effective non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis and evaluation of this disease.

J Bras Nefrol. 2026 Jan-Mar;48(1):e20250094. doi: 10.1590/2175-8239-JBN-2025-0094en.

Youhe Gao

Statement: During the preparation of this work the author(s) used Doubao / AI reading for summarizing the content. After using this tool/service, the author(s) reviewed and edited the content as needed and take(s) full responsibility for the content of the published article.

For earlier AI Reads Urine articles：https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/advances-in-biomarker-sciences-and-technology/ai-reads-urine/