Cerebral systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with catatonia

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Immunology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by motor abnormalities.
• Cerebral lupus is a rare neurological manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Observation:

• A 13-year-old girl presented with catatonia attributed to cerebral lupus.
• She also experienced minor epileptic status, which did not resolve with seizure treatment.

Findings:

• The patient's catatonic state persisted despite the abolition of epileptic activity.
• Recovery was achieved following treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents.

Implications:

• Cerebral lupus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of catatonia, particularly in pediatric cases.
• This case underscores the importance of early diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment for neurological lupus manifestations.