Introduction The introduction of pituitary and adrenal hormones for the therapy of the nephrotic syndrome of childhood has been of value in at least two respects. When given during periods of edema these hormones have proven to be the most consistent initiators of diuresis currently available; when given for maintenance therapy in the interedematous phases they have decreased the number and duration of episodes of edema. The important question of the influence of these hormones on long-term survival, however, is as yet unanswered. Several attempts, including a cooperative study,1-8have been made to assess the effect on survival of corticotropin, cortisone, and other steroids. Although the data have been encouraging, the formulation of definite conclusions has been prevented because of the following problems: inability to provide untreated patients as controls, difficulties in assessing relative severity of illness in individual patients, and employment of differing regimens in various clinics. The