Can a gentler steroid dose protect children's kidneys without the harsh side effects?

NCT ID NCT07719140

First seen Jul 22, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial compares two starting doses of the steroid prednisone for children with lupus-related kidney inflammation (lupus nephritis). The standard high dose can cause serious side effects like growth problems and bone thinning. The study asks whether a lower initial dose can control the kidney disease just as well while reducing those harms. About 198 children aged 6 to 17 with confirmed lupus nephritis will be randomly assigned to either a low-dose or high-dose steroid regimen, and their kidney function will be measured after 24 weeks.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
prednisone (a corticosteroid) given at either a low or high starting dose
What this could lead to
If lower doses work as well as high doses, children with lupus nephritis could avoid severe steroid side effects like stunted growth and bone problems.
What could go wrong
This is a Phase 4 trial, but the lower dose might turn out to be less effective at controlling kidney inflammation, risking kidney damage.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CHILDHOOD-ONSET SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University

    RECRUITING

    Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Chidren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Chongqing, Chongqing Municipality, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Children's Hospital of Fudan University

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Jilin University

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Changchun, Jilin, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

    RECRUITING

    Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100730, China

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Shenzhen Children's Hospital

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

  • The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University

    NOT_YET_RECRUITING

    Changsha, Hunan, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.