Systemic lupus erythematosus [Sistemik lupus eritematozus]

Systemic lupus erythematosus in children and adolescents is a multisystem autoimmune disease with a great variability in disease presentation and course. Approximately 15% of the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have the onset of their disease in childhood or adolescence. The common symptoms of SLE in children and adolescents include fever, fatigue, weight loss, arthritis, rash and renal disease. Although it is a life-long and serious disease with a high morbidity and mortality rate, the prognosis has dramatically improved with the aggressive use of high dose corticosteroids combined with other potent anti-inflammatory agents. This article summarizes available epidemiologic data, pathogenesis, clinical patterns, approaches to investigation and treatment, and recent outcome data