ASSESSMENT OF INFLUENZA VACCINATION STATUS IN CHILDREN WITH NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common kidney disease in childhood. Children with this condition are at higher risk of developing vaccine-preventable diseases. Prednisolone remains the mainstay for the treatment of NS. Giving influenza vaccination to NS children will significantly lower the risk of NS relapse during the post-vaccination period.

Aims and Objectives: To assess the influenza vaccination status in children with nephrotic syndrome.

Materials and Methods: Parents/guardians of 69 pediatric patients (<18 years old) diagnosed with NS from February 2022 to January 2023 were surveyed to evaluate influenza immunization status and parental knowledge regarding flu vaccination recommendations.

Results:Among 69 patients included in the study, 7 children (10.1%) were vaccinated with inactivated influenza vaccine. Among the 62 parents of unvaccinated children, 21 (33.9%) had concerns about the safety of influenza vaccination, 18 (29%) had concerns about the cost of such vaccine, 17 (27.4%) were not aware of the proper recommendations and 6 (9.7%) had been told by their neighbors and relatives not to vaccinate with such vaccine.

Conclusions:Physicians must be aware that proper information oninfluenza vaccination recommendations must be provided to family members along with the safety and efficacy profile of the vaccine for successful influenza vaccination in childhood nephrotic syndrome.