SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

An analysis of 37 cases of systemic lupus erythematosus in children is reported in order to demonstrate the course of this disease and its pathology. In this series 92% of the children were girls. Necropsies of 14 cases of the present series revealed characteristic renal findings in all, even when clinical evidence of renal disease had been absent. Generalized arteriolitis as well as evidence of cardiac involvement was usually present. Renal failure was the most frequent cause of death. Of the 37 children, 10 were alive at the time of this report; 8 of these surviving patients have been followed for more than 2 years. Steroid therapy was associated with partial or complete disappearance of urinary abnormalities in six children. Endocrine therapy was used in 32 of the children with symptomatic improvement in most cases. Until more specific drugs are available, an intensive and prolonged course of therapy with adrenal corticosteroids offers the best, though limited, chance of slowing or halting this disease process.