Systemic%20lupus%20erythematosus%20(pediatric) Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms

Definition

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystem, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder characterized by formation of autoantibodies directed against self-antigens and immune-complex formation
- SLE can be diagnosed with a single organ involvement such as lupus nephritis
Childhood-onset SLE (cSLE) has an estimated worldwide incidence of 0.3-2.2 per 100,000 children-years with prevalence ranging from 3.3-9.7 per 100,000 children and adolescents
- Occurrence is rare before 5 years of age
Females are more often affected than males
Clinical presentation varies in different patients and the disease activity varies over time in a single patient
- Most frequent manifestations in children include fever, rash, weight loss, arthritis and renal involvement
- Compared with adults, cSLE has a higher incidence of fever, lymphadenopathy, ocular symptoms, hematologic abnormalities (eg anemia, leukopenia), neurologic (seizures) and renal involvement (lupus nephritis)
  - cSLE has a greater disease severity and earlier disease damage than in adults with SLE

Signs and Symptoms

Clinical Features of SLE

Cardiac
- Endocarditis
- Myocarditis
- Pericarditis

Constitutional
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Weight loss

Dermatological
- Alopecia
- Malar and/or discoid rash
- Mucous membrane lesion
- Photosensitivity
- Purpura
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Urticaria
- Vasculitis

Gastrointestinal
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea, vomiting (N/V)

Hematologic
- Anemia
- Leukopenia
- Lymphopenia
- Thrombocytopenia

Thromboembolic
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Cerebral sinus venous thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolus
- Arterial stroke

Musculoskeletal
- Arthralgia
- Arthritis
- Myositis

Neuropsychiatric
- Headache
- Cognitive impairment
- Mood or anxiety disorders
- Psychosis
- Seizures
- Cerebrovascular disease

Pulmonary
- Pleurisy
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Pneumonitis

Renal
- Casts
- Hematuria
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Proteinuria

Reticuloendothelial
- Hepatomegaly
- Lymphadenopathy
- Splenomegaly

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