Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Children: A Study about 37 Tunisian Cases

Abstract

Aim: To determine the clinical and serological characteristics in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients and methods:This retrospective study included 37 patients with SLE. All patients fulfilled the ACR revised criteria for SLE and diagnosed between 1994 and 2009. Anti-nuclear antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on liver rat sections. Anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, anti-nucleosome, anti-SSA, anti-SSB and anti-RNP antibodies were detected by ELISA. Anti-dsDNA antibodies were detected also by IIF on Chrithidia luciliae. Results:The most common signs were anemia (86.5%), proteinuria (73%) and malar rash (67.6%). The frequency of arthritis and photosensitivity were 45.9% and 43.2% respectively. Leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and oral ulcer were present in 37.8%, 32.4% and 18.9% of cases respectively. The frequency of discoid rash was 13.5%. Anti-dsDNA antibodies were detected in 81.1%, anti-Sm and anti-RNP in 56.8%, anti-SSA in 43.2% and anti-SSB in 35.1%. Conclusion:The highest frequency of childhood SLE is situated at the age of puberty. Renal disease is very frequent in paediatric SLE.