Objective      To examine miR-151-3p serum expression in children with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) and explore its clinical value.       Methods      Forty children with PNS who were admitted into our hospital from 2011 to 2012 were investigated. According to the response to the effect of glucocorticosteroid

30 children were assigned into a steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (

SSNS) group and 10 into a steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) group. Twenty age and sex matched healthy children were enrolled as healthy controls. Real-time PCR was performed to detect the expression of serum miR-151-3p. Then we analyzed the miR-151-3p expression in SSNS group before and after steroid treatment. We also investigated miR-151-3p expression in urine samples. Finally

we analyzed the relationship between miR-151-3p expression and the clinical characteristics of PNS.       Results      Compared to the healthy children group

miR-151-3p was upregulated in the PNS groups (

P

<

0.05). MiR-151-3p expression was reduced after steroid treatment in the SSNS group (

P

<

0.05). There was no significant difference in miR-151-3p expression from urine samples of PNS and healthy children (

P

>0.05). There existed a positive correlation between serum miR-151-3p expression and serum cholesterol and urinary protein of 24 hours

but no correlation between serum miR-151-3p expression and serum albumin.       Conclusion      MiR-151-3p expression is upregulated in blood serum of children with PNS and has a close relationship with PNS. Our data suggest that miR-151-3p may serve as a potential therapeutic target of PNS.