[Clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus with pulmonary pleural lesion in children].
To investigate the clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with pulmonary pleural lesion in children.



One hundred and thirty three child patients with SLE admitted from 2001 to 2010 were enrolled in the study. The clinical data, chest X-ray findings and laboratory examination were retrospectively reviewed. Cases with infectious pulmonary pleural lesion were excluded.



According to chest X-ray findings pleural pulmonary lesions were involved in 45 out of 133 cases with SLE (33.83 %); however, only 30 cases (66.67 %) had positive respiratory manifestations. Respiratory features included cough and/or sputum (55.56 %), dyspnea and chest pain (15.56 % and 11.11 %), and only 28.89 % case with pleural pulmonary lesions had rales. Chest X-ray findings included pleural effusion/pleurisy (32 cases, 71.11%), bronchial pneumonia (21 cases, 46.67%) or interstitial pulmonary disease (13 cases, 28.89%). Compared to children without pulmonary pleural lesion, children with pulmonary pleural lesion had higher incidence of leukopenia, lower C₃ or antibody dsDNA (+) (all P<0.05). There was no difference in abnormality of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), CRP, IgG,IgA,IgM, thrombocytopenia, antibody ANA(+), anti-SSA(+), anti-SSB(+) or anti-Sm(+) between children with or without pulmonary pleural lesion (P>0.05).



High incidence of pulmonary pleura lesions are present in children with SLE, however, clinical manifestations are lack of specificity or even no respiratory manifestation. Chest X-ray or HRCT scan are necessary in all cases with SLE. Children with leukopenia, lower C₃ or antibody dsDNA (+) are more likely to have pulmonary pleural lesion.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Yan-feng
YF
Zhao
Mei-ping
MP
Lu
Zhi-min
ZM
Chen
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies