# Unmasking Visceral Leishmaniasis: Nephrotic Syndrome as a Rare Pediatric Complication in Morocco

## TL;DR

This paper reports two rare cases of children in Morocco with visceral leishmaniasis who developed nephrotic syndrome, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

## Contribution

The paper presents two rare pediatric cases of nephrotic syndrome as a complication of visceral leishmaniasis in immunocompetent children.

## Key findings

- Two children with visceral leishmaniasis developed nephrotic syndrome as a rare complication.
- One child died, while the other improved with corticosteroids and antimonial drugs.
- The cases emphasize the need for clinician awareness to enable early diagnosis and treatment.

## Abstract

Nephrotic syndrome in children with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an uncommon presentation, often accompanied by other clinical signs such as febrile splenomegaly. This report highlights two cases of VL in immunocompetent children admitted to Mohamed VI University Hospital in Marrakech, who developed nephrotic syndrome as a complication. One child unfortunately passed away, while the other responded well to treatment with corticosteroids and pentavalent antimonial drugs, showing favorable clinical progress. This rare condition underscores the need to raise awareness among clinicians to facilitate early diagnosis and prompt treatment.