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Recent data suggests increased incidence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) among children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). To determine the causes and possible longitudinal changes in the etiology of INS, 282 Croatian children diagnosed with INS between 1990 and 2009 were evaluated. In total, 122 children were assessed as having minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) based on their initial presentation, laboratory findings and clinical course. Kidney biopsy was performed in the remaining 160 children. MCNS was present in 18.1% of all biopsies performed. Total incidence of MCNS (assessed + biopsy proven) was only 53.5%. In contrast, FSGS was found in 40.6% of all biopsies and accounted for 23.1% of all cases. Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MesPGN) was the third most common diagnosis, present in 26.9% of the biopsies, and accounted for 15.2% of all cases. There were no significant longitudinal differences in the incidence of different causes of INS. The overall response to steroids at presentation was 71.6%. A higher proportion of initial steroid responders among children with FSGS (43.1%) and MesPGN (67.4%) than previously reported was noted. A longitudinal tendency of increasing steroid resistance in FSGS and MesPGN groups was observed.