Pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus: management issues in primary practice.
OBJECTIVE
To provide nurse practitioners (NPs) with an update on pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with an emphasis on management considerations for primary care practitioners.


METHODS
An extensive literature review was conducted using both Medline and CINAHL databases. Research articles reflecting the most compelling findings were included in this review.


CONCLUSIONS
NPs who care for children with SLE may be able to prevent or delay the morbidities associated with this disease and its treatments, if they keep abreast of the new information evolving in this realm of rheumatologic diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
As more is learned about pediatric SLE, better treatments have evolved such that the survival rates have increased. The primary care of pediatric SLE patients that is focused on preventing or delaying SLE morbidities may help to restore, maintain, or improve the quality of life for these patients.
Pongmarutani
Tiwaporn
T
Community College of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, USA.
Alpert
Patricia T
PT
Miller
Sally K
SK
D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008612:Menu Planning; D009017:Morbidity; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002666:Psychology, Child; D011788:Quality of Life; D015996:Survival Rate
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D005492:Folic Acid