Systemic lupus erythematosus outcome in Nephrology Unit Zagazig University

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem, inflammatory, autoimmune disease that can affect any organ system and is characterized by the presence of circulating antinuclear antibodies, especially antibodies to native (double-stranded) DNA. Its clinical manifestations are widely variable, and its course is unpredictable. If left untreated, SLE is often progressive and has a significant fatality rate. It is estimated that 15-20% of patients with SLE have their onset before 16 years of age. Although clinical and laboratory features in juvenile SLE are similar to those that are seen in adults, SLE that begins in childhood has been considered more severe than SLE with onset during adulthood (Lattanzi and Ravelli, 2012).SLE etiology is now at least partially known, involving multiple genetic and environmental factors are involved. The disease is characterized by a dysregulation of the immune system with polyclonal B-cell activation, which appears to drive the production of self-reactive autoantibodies. The production of autoantibodies may represent the sentinel event in the pathogenesis of SLE as it has been found to antedate the onset of clinical symptoms by years 2009Children and adolescent with SLE often present with nonspecific constitutional symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, malaise, and weight loss. Signs and symptoms related to involvement of visceral organs may be already detectable at disease onset or develop throughout the disease course Watson et al., 2011 While the incidence of childhood SLE is relatively low, renal involvement appears to be more common and severe in children than in adult SLE patients. It has been reported that more than 70% of children.