Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41204962›Full record

SynthesisPediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany)2026

Rituximab in pediatric refractory nephrotic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating therapeutic efficacy and adverse event profiles.

Junchao Deng, Lizhen Zhu, Xiaoshi Zhu

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Junchao DengDepartment of Pediatrics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan People's Hospital, No.32 West Section 2, First Ring Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, People's Republic of China. dengjunchao13@163.com.
Lizhen ZhuEmergency Care Unit, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, People's Republic of China.
Xiaoshi ZhuDepartment of Pediatrics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan People's Hospital, No.32 West Section 2, First Ring Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, People's Republic of China. zhu8031@126.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRituximab is considered a therapeutic option in children with refractory nephrotic syndrome (RNS). However, the efficacy and safety of rituximab treatment remain unclear.

objectiveThis study systematically evaluated the clinical effectiveness and related adverse event profiles of rituximab compared with other immunosuppressants in children with RNS.

methodTwo independent investigators conducted the methodological rigor evaluation in a double-blind manner. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4.

resultsRelative to other conventional second-line agents, rituximab therapy presented a significantly increased relapse-free survival rate [vs. tacrolimus: OR = 3.42, 95% CI = 1.96-5.94, P < 0.01]. Fewer adverse drug reactions occurred in patients with rituximab than with other immunosuppressants [vs. cyclophosphamide: OR = 0.18, 95% CI = 0.04-0.89, P = 0.03; vs. tacrolimus: OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.07-0.92, P = 0.04]. The application of rituximab increased the steroid-discontinued rate and decreased the corticosteroid dose in the treatment [vs. cyclophosphamide: OR = 5.46, 95% CI = 2.00-14.92, P = 0.0009; vs. tacrolimus: OR = 3.42, 95% CI = 1.67-7.01, P = 0.0008].

conclusionOur study demonstrates rituximab's superior efficacy and safety profile compared to conventional second-line immunosuppressants in pediatric RNS, particularly regarding steroid minimization. Systematic review registration number: CRD420251082051.

Indexed as

Immunosuppressive AgentsNephrotic SyndromeRituximabChildCyclophosphamideHumansTreatment OutcomeCyclophosphamideImmunosuppressive AgentsRituximabImmunosuppressantMeta-analysisPediatricRefractory nephrotic syndromeRituximab

Identifiers

PMID41204962
PMCPMC13139277

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.