Korean J Pediatr.  2007 Jan;50(1):74-78. 10.3345/kjp.2007.50.1.74.

A clinical study of systemic lupus erythematosus in children

• Kim JT
• Nam YM
• Lee JS
• Kim DS

• KMID: 2278750
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2007.50.1.74

Abstract

PURPOSE: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystemic autoimmune disease with complex clinical manifestations. It probably involves genetic, environmental and immunologic factors. In this study, we investigated the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and prognosis of pediatric SLE to aid clinical care of pediatric SLE.
METHODS
The data of 45 patients who were diagnosed as pediatric SLE in Severance Children's Hospital from Jan. 1996 to Dec. 2005 were analysed retrospectively.
RESULTS
The mean age at diagnosis was 10.8 (0-15) years old. And the ratio of male to female patients was 1:4. The initial manifestations were facial edema (51.1 percent), malar rash (44.4 percent), and fever (28.9 percent). The ANA (97.8 percent), anti-ds DNA antibody (82.2 percent), lupus nephritis (71.1 percent), malar rash (71.1 percent), and cytopenia (66.7 percent) were the most common findings among the classification criteria by ACR (American College of Rhematology, 1997).
CONCLUSION
Clinical manifestations and prognosis are various in pediatric SLE. Intensive studies of SLE in children should be continued for more effective treatment.

Keyword

Systemic lupus erythematosus; Children; Adolescent

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Autoimmune Diseases
Child*
Classification
Diagnosis
DNA
Edema
Exanthema
Female
Fever
Humans
Immunologic Factors
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic*
Lupus Nephritis
Male
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies
DNA
Immunologic Factors