Objectives <p>To assess the linear growth in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome receiving corticosteroid therapy.</p> Methods <p>Two hundred forty-five cases, aged 1–18 y of both gender [53 – first episode nephrotic syndrome (FENS), 50 – infrequent relapsing (IRNS), 68 – frequent relapsing (FRNS), 46 – steroid dependent (SDNS) and 28 – steroid resistant (SRNS)] were included. Height Z-score, cumulative dose of prednisolone and steroid-related side-effects were recorded.</p> Results <p>Median age at onset of disease was 3.8 y [interquartile range (IQR) 3–7] and median duration of follow-up was 4 mo (IQR 3, 10). Overall, 97 cases (39.5%) showed short stature (height Z-score &lt;-2) after therapy; 27 had short stature before and 70 (28.5%) new cases (20 IRNS + 31 FRNS + 17 SDNS + 2 SRNS) developed after treatment. Median height Z-score showed significant reduction (-1.9 vs. -2.3, <i>P</i> &lt;0.001) after therapy. Cumulative steroid dose (mg/m²) significantly decreased the height velocity in 50 cases (31 FRNS + 17 SDNS + 2 SRNS), who received steroid over prolonged period (<i>r </i>= -0.322, <i>p</i> = 0.023). Age at onset of disease (<i>r</i> = -0.328, <i>p</i> = 0.020) and duration of steroid therapy (<i>r</i> = -0.338, <i>p</i> = 0.016) significantly correlated with change in height Z-scores.</p> Conclusions <p>Younger age of onset of disease and duration of steroid therapy had significant relationship with linear growth.</p>