All issues > Volume 50(1); 2007

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2007;50(1):74-78. Published online January 15, 2007.

A clinical study of systemic lupus erythematosus in children

Ji Tae JT Kim¹, Young Mee YM Nam¹, Jae Seung JS Lee¹, Dong Soo DS Kim¹

¹Department Of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University Medical Center, Seuol, Korea

Correspondence Dong Soo DS Kim ,Email: dskim6634@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr

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.

Keywords :Systemic lupus erythematosus , Children , Adolescent