Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus: An uncommon diagnosis in an 8-year-old girl

Abstract

Bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (BSLE) is a rare manifestation of SLE, characterized clinically by tense bullae involving photo-exposed areas and histologically by subepidermal bullae with predominantly neutrophilic infiltrate and immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and C3 deposition at the dermo-epidermal junction indirect immunoflurosence. Specific diagnostic criteria for this subtype have been developed. However, the presentation in children is relatively uncommon. We report an 8-year-old girl diagnosed by histopathology and immunological examination as a case of BSLE without any clinical feature of SLE except photosensitivity. This highlights the importance of considering BSLE as a differential diagnosis in case of children presenting with tense bullae.

Keywords

• Bullae in childhood
• bullous systemic lupus erythematosus
• lupus nephritis