Epidemiology

Minimal change disease (MCD) is the major cause of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) in children, accounting for 70% to 90% of cases in children over 1 year of age.[1] In adults with NS, MCD is the cause in around 15% of patients.[1]​ In a study of kidney biopsies among 1633 adults with NS, the incidence of MCD was 19.5%.[6]​ The overall incidence of idiopathic NS is estimated at 2.92 new cases per 100,000 children per year.[7]​ The incidence is higher in Southeast Asia and East Asia compared with Europe, North America, and Oceania.[7] The age at initial presentation of NS has an impact on the MCD distribution frequency.[8]​ For children presenting with NS before the age of 1 year, congenital (birth to 3 months) and infantile (3-12 months) genetic disorders, as well as infections, are usually the causes. In children beyond infancy and ages <6 years, MCD is the predominant finding.[8]​ In contrast, only 20% to 30% of adolescent patients with NS have MCD.[9]​ Reliable epidemiologic data with a pathologic diagnosis are lacking as many patients, particularly children and individuals in low-resource settings, do not undergo biopsy.[8]

The sex ratio of boys to girls approximates 2:1 during childhood, but this difference disappears in adolescence.[1]​ 

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