Update on pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

SLE continues to cause significant morbidity in the pediatric age group. A better recognition of the age-specific manifestations and long-term complications of this disease is required to improve its outcome. Understanding its unique pathogenesis will hopefully lead to the development of better, more targeted and less toxic therapies.

A comparison of autoimmune liver disease in juvenile and adult populations with systemic lupus erythematosus--a retrospective review of cases

“…Some differences in disease manifestation and course between adult and juvenile cohorts have emerged [7]. There is a higher male : female ratio, estimated at around 1 : 4.5 and the disease is more severe at onset in paediatric patients with higher rates of renal and neuropsychiatric disease.…”

Predictors of mortality in children with lupus nephritis

“…Rates of organ involvement are higher in children. [1][2][3] Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the main clinical presentations determining the course and outcome in patients with SLE. Nephritis complicates SLE in approximately 25-50% of patients and is associated with increased mortality.…”

Systemic lupus erythematosus in children and adolescents

“…Er scheint jedoch initial schwerer und mit einer hö-heren Organbeteiligung zu verlaufen [7,21,29]. Jüngere Patienten benötigen zu Beginn sehr viel häufiger eine hochdosierte Prednisolontherapie [27]. Besonderheiten ergeben sich aus dem Entwicklungsstand der Patienten.…”