Systemic lupus erythematosus in children and adolescents

Abstract

Children and adolescents represent 15-20% of all systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Although the clinical presentation and immunological findings are similar to those of adult SLE, children usually have a more severe disease at onset with higher rates of organ involvement. Rapid diagnosis and subsequent therapy are necessary to prevent major organ damage. The survival of children with SLE has improved dramatically over the past decades due to the introduction of steroids and immunosuppressive drugs. New strategies to improve the long-term course of the disease and to reduce potential drug toxicities are necessary. A common concept does not exist. There are some promising new drugs. This review article summarizes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and therapy of childhood and adolescent-onset SLE.

Assessment of Ten-Year-Long Results of Kidney Biopsies Performed on Children in the Thrace Region of Turkey

“…Since renal involvement is more frequent in children with SLE than in adults and represent 15-20% of all SLE patients, kidney biopsy is very important for prognostic and therapeutic approaches (1,23).…”

Análise das alterações nas estruturas de substância branca e cinzenta através da ressonância magnética no lúpus eritematoso sistêmico juvenil

“…Cerca de 15-20% dos pacientes com LES tem diagnóstico na infância (Sallmann, 2006;Papadimitraki, 2009;Habibi, 2011). A taxa de incidência e prevalência é menor nesses pacientes, porém, até o momento existe um pequeno número de estudos sobre a prevalência/incidência de LES entre crianças e adolescentes.…”