Pediatric Lupus Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Guide

Pediatric Lupus 

Paediatric lupus typically manifests in childhood (usually around age 12). Common visible symptoms  include fatigue, joint pain, hair loss and a “butterfly” rash on your child’s cheeks and nose but this disease can involve any organ of the body.

What is Pediatric Lupus?

The autoimmune condition known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is referred as “lupus” commonly.

Normally, the immune system protects the body by making antibodies to fight off different infections,  viruses, bacteria and other foreign substances. In lupus, an abnormal immune system produces antibodies which attack healthy tissue and this leads to pain and inflammation. The skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs can all be affected by lupus.

Other forms of lupus are:

Drug-induced lupus (DIL): People who take certain medications for an extended period of time may develop this lupus-like condition.  

Neonatal lupus: This temporary form of lupus affects a small percentage of infants whose mothers have certain lupus autoantibodies. It begins before birth, when these autoantibodies reach the baby via the placenta, and ends within the first several months of life, as the autoantibodies disappear from the baby’s system.

Monogenic lupus: There are conditions in which lupus can be genetic in nature and runs in families. These tend to be more severe and need special treatment.

What symptoms and signs are present in children with lupus?

Each person is affected by lupus in slightly different ways, and the disease has a wide range of signs and symptoms. 

Symptoms are things your child feels or notices in daily life. 

Common Symptoms of lupus in children

A rash on their cheeks and the bridge of their nose (“butterfly” or malar rash)

Fatigue

Headaches

Fevers

Weight loss

Hair loss

Sores in their mouth or nose

Swelling and pain in their joints (arthritis)

Swelling of face, feet if kidney is involved

These symptoms may appear gradually or all at once and progress depending on organ involvement. 

Testing and diagnosis for lupus in children

Due to the wide range and severity of the symptoms that any individual may experience, lupus is challenging to diagnose. Lupus cannot be diagnosed with a single test. Instead, clinicians usually make a diagnosis based on your child’s medical history, reported symptoms, a physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic and imaging tests.

Tests may include:

Blood and urine tests to assess kidney function, blood counts, haemoglobin, protein .

The body's inflammation can be detected with the C-reactive protein and  ESR .

Blood tests to identify specific antibodies that are seen in nearly all lupus patients- ANA and ANA profile

A complement test is used to determine the blood's complement - Lupus is frequently linked to low blood complement levels..

Treatment for lupus in children

Your child's pediatric rheumatologist will make treatment decisions depending on:

Your child’s age, overall health, and medical history

Extent of the condition, Specific organs that are affected

The degree to which your child can tolerate certain medications, treatments, and procedures.

Treatments may include:

• Hydroxychloroquine for prolonged duration 
• Corticosteroids to control inflammation.
• Depending on the severity of the illness and blood tests, immunosuppressive medication will be decided.
• Lifestyle changes are must along with medication adherence 

1. Sunprotection: Wearing hats and long sleeves when outdoors, applying sunscreen often, and spending less time outside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. The illness may worsen in the sun.
2. Rest, including a minimum of eight to ten hours of sleep each night.
3. Well-balanced diet: A balanced diet helps reduce inflammation, boost energy, and support healthy growth. Encourage daily intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Calcium and vitamin D like dairy products, green leafy vegetables, eggs are essential to support bone health, especially since both lupus and steroid medications can cause early bone thinning. It's also important to limit processed foods, sugary snacks, salty items, and foods with trans fats.
4. Exercise
5. Immediate treatment of infections and vaccinations as per doctors suggestion. Immunisations containing live viruses, such as oral polio, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), and chickenpox, should not be administered to children with lupus on higher immunosuppression 

Conclusion

Symptoms can be managed with medicines and lifestyle modifications. Most children will lead healthy lives, especially if they have early diagnosis and timely and appropriate treatment.

Why Choose Ankura Hospital for Pediatric Lupus?

At Ankura Hospital, we understand that pediatric lupus is a complex and lifelong autoimmune condition that requires careful monitoring and expert care. Our dedicated team of pediatric rheumatologists and immunologists, led by Dr. Anjani Gummadi, provides specialized care tailored to each child’s unique needs.

Expertise: Our highly trained pediatric specialists have extensive experience in diagnosing and managing complex autoimmune and inflammatory conditions in children, hence ensuring precise and effective treatment.

Advanced Diagnostics: Ankura provides comprehensive diagnostic facilities, including blood tests, infection screening, and echocardiography. Accurate monitoring of disease activity and the early detection of complications are thus enabled.

Personalized Care: Every child with lupus has a unique "lupus fingerprint." We develop personalized treatment plans that take into consideration age, health status, affected organs, and lifestyle to ensure the most optimal outcomes while limiting side effects.

Holistic Approach: Together with medication, our expertise extends to cover lifestyle advice, nutrition, stress management, and infection prevention to enable the family to cope with pediatric lupus at home.