OBJECTIVE To evaluate serum anti-C1q antibodies as a biomarker of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flare and as a proposed noninvasive alternative to renal biopsy which is still the "gold standard" to determine renal activity in SLE. METHODS Serum anti-C1q antibodies were measured in our patients (all were females), they were followed at the nephrology and pediatric nephrology units at the ...

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is primarily a disease of young women, though it can be seen in both pediatric and older patients where the sex ratio is more balanced. The pathologic fi ndings of SLE occur throughout the body and are manifested by infl ammation, blood vessel abnormalities that encompass bland vasculopathy and vasculitis, and immune-complex deposition. Autoantibodies can occu...

Renal involvement occurs in 50-75% of children with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). Proliferative lupus nephritis (LN) represents the most common pattern of renal involvement in cSLE. Despite aggressive treatment, progression to end stage renal disease can occur in up to 5-10% of children. Over the last 2 decades, tremendous advancements have been made in the treatment of p...

OBJECTIVE Provide an orientation to psychoneuroimmunology, a rationale for including assessments of immune function in intervention studies of pediatric chronic illness, review the current literature, and provide recommendations for future research. METHODS Using electronic searches and previous reviews, selected and reviewed published studies in which immunological changes related to psychol...

Methods Analytic descriptive study. 89 patients with diagnosis of SLE (1997 ACR revised criteria) from a rheumatology center at a pediatric hospital were evaluated at the time of diagnosis and twelve months after. Medical records were reviewed registering the following variables: Sex, age, renal involvement (Yes/No), hypertension (Yes/ No), nephrotic range proteinuria (Yes/No), renal biopsy (Ye...

We report a child with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus. The diagnosis was confirmed by low ADAMTS13 activity (<5%) along with the presence of a low titer inhibitor. Her clinical course was complicated by systemic lupus erythematosus, immunosuppressant therapy, and septic shock. She responded to plasma exchange and ADAMTS13 activity levels reco...

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disorder in which 20 % of patients are diagnosed in childhood. Childhood-onset SLE is associated with higher morbidity and mortality than adult-onset SLE. The aims of disease management with early immunosuppression are to decrease disease activity and improve quality of life. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary due to ...