PARTICULARITIES OF PEDIATRIC SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS – LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Pediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (pSLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with onset of symptoms before 18 years of age, accounting for 18-20% of all SLE cases. Although the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria and the SLICC (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics) classification criteria for adults with SLE are commonly applied to pSLE, its clinical onset is different. Renal and neurological involvement tend to be more common and more severe in pediatric population as compared to adults, being therefore major determinants of prognosis and mortality. Renal biopsy should be performed as early as possible in every case of pSLE with signs and symptoms of renal impairment.

Keywords

• pediatric
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• particularities