Investigation of brain diffusion changes in children with primary nephrotic syndrome

Primary nephrotic syndrome, which occurs with the deterioration of kidney function, can subsequently affect the brain with systemic immune activation, vasculopathy and ischemia. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in identifying and detecting brain changes in pediatric patients with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS). The study included 24 pediatric patients with PNS and 60 healthy children as a control group. The apparent diffusion coefficient values of caudate nucleus, frontal cortex, thalamus, lentiform nucleus, anterior crus and posterior crus of the internal capsule, frontal and occipital white matter were measured quantitatively. The ADC values of thalamus, occipital white matter, caudate nucleus and frontal cortex in the PNS group were significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.05 for all). No statistically significant difference was detected between the groups with respect of other brain locations. Systemic effects and possible complications of primary nephrotic syndrome may lead to diffusion changes in brain tissue. The decrease in ADC values in patients with PNS may be explained by decreased cerebral perfusion due to cerebral vasoconstriction and vasculopathy. •DWI can show brain complications in primary nephrotic syndrome.•ADC measurements may predict brain hypoperfusion in primary nephrotic syndrome.•Primary nephrotic syndrome can lead to diffusion changes in brain tissue.