Effect of Daily Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) on Proteinuria in Pediatric Patients With Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria (Arm 1): 1. Subjects age 2-21 years of age 2. eGFR \> 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 3. Diagnosis of idiopathic minimal change disease (clinical diagnosis or per biopsy) 4. Prior history of remission of nephrotic syndrome within 4 weeks of initiation of steroid therapy (steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome) 5. 2 or more episodes of nephrotic syndrome relapses in a 6-month period or four or more episodes of nephrotic syndrome relapses in a 12-month period (relapse defined as 2+ proteinuria on first morning urine sample for three consecutive days or development of edema) 6. In remission (no proteinuria - normal urine protein to creatinine ratio \< 0.2) at the time of enrollment Inclusion Criteria (Arm 2): 1. Subjects age 2-21 years of age 2. eGFR \> 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 3. Diagnosis idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (clinical diagnosis or per biopsy) 4. Diagnosis of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (symptoms or proteinuria not improved after 4 to 8 weeks of steroid therapy) 5. Persistent proteinuria (first-morning urine protein to creatinine ratio \> 0.2) 6. At least 7 days since last dose of steroids Exclusion Criteria (Arm 1): 1. Subjects with nephrotic syndrome etiology other than idiopathic minimal change disease either biopsy-proven or by genetic testing 2. Nephrotic syndrome due to secondary causes such as SLE, vasculitis, hepatitis, post-infectious etiology, medication-induced, etc. 3. Subjects that did not achieve remission of nephrotic syndrome within 4 weeks of initiation of steroid therapy (steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome) 4. Subjects with urine protein to creatinine ratio of \> 0.2 (not in remission) 5. Subjects currently receiving any standing immunosuppressive therapy (mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, rituximab - note: 1) previous exposure to these therapies does not exclude participation; 2) subjects with previous exposure to rituximab are eligible if B cells are replete) 6. Subjects with a history of cardiac issues, including bradycardia, arrhythmias or structural abnormalities of the heart 7. Subjects with implantable electronic devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, hearing aids, cochlear implants or deep brain stimulators 8. Subjects with any other known inflammatory condition (IBD, SLE, etc.) Exclusion Criteria (Arm 2): 1. Nephrotic syndrome due to secondary causes such as SLE, vasculitis, hepatitis, post-infectious etiology, medication-induced, etc. 2. Subjects with a history of cardiac issues, including bradycardia, arrhythmias or structural abnormalities of the heart 3. Subjects with implantable electronic devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators, hearing aids, cochlear implants or deep brain stimulators 4. Subjects with any other known inflammatory condition (IBD, SLE, etc.)