Systemic lupus erythematosus in pediatrics

Hey Systemic lupus erythematosus It is a chronic, multi-system autoimmune disease. It is uncommon before the age of ten and affects females in 90% of cases.

It is characterized by periods of activity and calm, through the production of multiple autoantibodies and has an unknown etiology, assuming the presence of several factors, such as genetic, hormonal, immunological, and environmental factors.
For example, primary immunodeficiencies and viral infections (eg, Epstein-Barr virus) are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.

See also: Schistosomiasis in pediatrics

Regarding clinical manifestations, they are polymorphic and can vary from non-specific symptoms to more classic manifestations such as the butterfly wing rash. Initially, constitutional symptoms such as fever, asthenia, paleness, weight loss, and hepatosplenomegaly are commonly observed and in up to 70% of patients with
Systemic lupus erythematosus In children, joint complaints may be the primary.

Moreover, it can affect several organs such as the skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, and nervous system, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death in lupus patients.

Finally, it should be noted that although pediatric SLE is uncommon in children, its prognosis is worse when compared to the adult population, being more aggressive.

Differential diagnosis

• infections;
• Malignant tumors.
• External poisonings.
• Post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.
• Severe anemia.
• Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
• obsessive-compulsive disorder;
• Bacterial endocarditis.
• Bacterial pericarditis.
• HIV.
• Hemolytic uremic syndrome;
• nephrotic syndrome;
• Mixed connective tissue disease.
• Hyperthyroidism.
• Hypothyroidism;
• Kawasaki disease;
• Viral myocarditis.
• rheumatic fever;
• Sjögren's syndrome;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Behçet's disease;
• Anxiety disorders;
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis;
• Other rheumatic diseases;
• Infections.

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