Pediatric lupus--are there differences in presentation, genetics, response to therapy, and damage accrual compared with adult lupus?
Some complement deficiencies predispose to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) early in life. Currently, there are no known unique physiologic or genetic pathways that can explain the variability in disease phenotypes. Children present with more acute illness and have more frequent renal, hematologic, and central nervous system involvement compared to adults with SLE. Almost all children require corticosteroids during the course of their disease; many are treated with immunosuppressive drugs. Mortality rates remain higher with pediatric SLE. Children and adolescents accrue more damage, especially in the renal, ocular and musculoskeletal organ systems. Conversely, cardiovascular mortality is more prevalent in adults with SLE.
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Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MC 4010, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000172:deficiency; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003165:Complement System Proteins