Cutaneous Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Iranian Children

Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is an autoimmune process in which cutaneous lesions occur in majority of patients. This study was conducted to determine the pattern and prevalence of such lesions in SLE in Iranian children infected with SLE. Forty-eight patients, age between 3-16 yrs and male to female ratio of 7/1 were examined for the presence of cutaneous manifestations of SLE. The most common skin changes noted were malar rash, discoid eruptions, alopecia, and photosensitivity. Vascular lesions including peripheral gangrene, chronic ulcers, Raynauds phenomenon, urticaria, palmar erythema, and erythema multiform were rare. Anti nuclear antibodies and anti-ds-DNA were positive. The prominent part of SLE is skin change which may be used as helpful diagnostic means. The result of the present study indicated that cutaneous involvements were more common in Iranian children and these changes would provide helpful information in early diagnosis of juvenile systemic lupus erythematous.Iran J Med Sci 2006; 31(1): 44-46. Keywords ● SLE ● cutaneous ● Raynauds phenomenon ● discoid eruptions ● autoimmune