Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Pediatric) Disease Summary

Last updated: 23 July 2020

Overview

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystem, inflammatory, autoimmune disorder characterized by formation of autoantibodies directed against self-antigens and immune-complex formation.
Clinical presentation varies in different patients and the disease activity varies over time in a single patient. Childhood-onset SLE has a greater disease severity and earlier disease damage than in adults with SLE.
Patients require individualized therapy depending on disease manifestations, activity and severity. Goals of therapy are to control disease manifestations, ie aim for remission or low disease activity and flare prevention and to allow the child to have a good quality of life without major exacerbations.

For further information regarding the management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Pediatric), please refer to Disease Algorithm for the Treatment Guideline.