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Published on: May 6, 2014
A 4-year old presenting with fever and achiness
Caroline Plott1, Thomas Gracie1, Courtney Alvis2
1Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Insights
Diagnosing multi-system disease in young children is difficult. This case highlights pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with lupus nephritis in a 4-year-old girl.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rheumatology
- Nephrology
- Systemic Autoimmune Diseases
Background:
- Diagnosing multisystem diseases in children under 5 presents significant challenges.
- Early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (EOSLE) requires careful evaluation of diverse clinical and laboratory findings.
Observation:
- A 4-year-old girl exhibited behavioral changes, fever, arthralgia, arthritis, and hematuria.
- Previous hospitalizations for pneumonia and impetigo complicated the initial diagnostic process.
Findings:
- Serologic tests suggested a rheumatologic cause.
- Renal biopsy confirmed Membranous Lupus Nephritis Class V, leading to a diagnosis of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering EOSLE in young children with unexplained multisystem symptoms.
- Understanding the clinical features and diagnostic criteria for EOSLE is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
- Early diagnosis of pediatric lupus nephritis can improve patient prognosis.
Abstract:
In children under the age of 5 who have abnormalities in history, physical examination, and laboratory studies indicating multi-system disease, uncovering the correct diagnosis is challenging. Here, we report the course of a 4-year-old girl who presented with a change in behavior, fever, arthralgia, arthritis, and hematuria following three recent hospitalizations for pneumonia and impetigo. Serologic findings were suggestive of a rheumatologic etiology and a renal biopsy was consistent with Membranous Lupus Nephritis Class V which helped secure the diagnosis of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus. We review the clinical features and diagnostic criteria of early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus and discuss diagnostic considerations and prognosis.
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