Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Children make up almost 20% of all patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, with the most common age of presentation in adolescence. (3) (Based on moderate evidence: observational studies) • Children tend to have more organ damage, increased risk of mortality, and increased impact from immunosuppressive therapies. (2) (Based on moderate evidence: observational studies) • The symptoms of lupus can result from multiple defects in immune pathways, and this leads to many different phenotypes for the disease. (Based on moderate evidence: observational studies) • The variable mechanisms of pathogenesis result in a variability of responses to specific treatments and the need to individualize therapy to the patient’s clinical manifestations. (Based on moderate evidence: observational studies) • Belimumab is a new option available for childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus with or without renal disease. (60) (Based on moderate evidence: observational studies). © 2024 American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights reserved.