Symptoms of childhood lupus

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on April 04, 2025
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Childhood systemic lupus erythematosus generally presents similarly to adults. It is a relatively common systemic autoimmune disease, more commonly seen in girls than boys. It involves multiple autoantibodies primarily including antinuclear antibodies and widespread small arteriole pathology, affecting multiple systems. Clinically, it can manifest with fever, skin lesions, such as butterfly rash on the face, as well as damage to the joints, kidneys, liver, heart, serous membranes, and a reduction in all blood cells. Generally, the ratio of females to males ranges from about 6:1 to 9:1. The prognosis of this disease is generally poor.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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Is lupus contagious?

Lupus erythematosus is not contagious. The occurrence of lupus erythematosus is related to genetic factors, the levels of sex hormones in the body, and certain environmental factors that the body is exposed to. It is the combined effect of these factors that lowers the body's immune tolerance, causing disorder in immune function, and thus leading to this autoimmune disease. Therefore, unlike diseases caused by various pathogens, it cannot be transmitted from person to person. When normal individuals come into contact with patients, there is no need to fear contagion or to isolate the patients. During the remission and stable phases of the disease, lupus patients can engage in regular work, study, and participate in social activities just like healthy individuals.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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How is lupus treated?

The treatment of lupus erythematosus mainly involves the following aspects: Firstly, mild patients can be treated with antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine, thalidomide, and low-dose corticosteroids; moderate active patients can receive individualized treatment with corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants may be used when necessary; for severe patients, corticosteroids are the preferred treatment, combined with immunosuppressants such as cyclophosphamide. Secondly, for lupus crisis patients, treatment can involve immunoglobulin, high-dose corticosteroid pulse therapy. Thirdly, biologics, such as anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, plasmapheresis, and autologous stem cell transplantation, are also used clinically. Medication for treating lupus erythematosus should be used under the guidance of a doctor, and self-medication should be avoided to prevent serious consequences.

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Written by Liu Li Ning
Rheumatology
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Systemic lupus erythematosus has several symptoms, including:

Common manifestations of lupus include facial butterfly rash, discoid rash, photosensitivity, joint pain or arthritis, mental symptoms, recurrent oral ulcers, hair loss, foamy urine, etc. Patients with mesenteric vasculitis as the initial symptom mainly complain of abdominal pain and bloating. If the hematological system is the initial symptom, the main complaint is usually fatigue. If the patient presents with a seizure as the initial symptom, the main manifestation is limb convulsions. The heterogeneity of lupus is strong, and different patients can exhibit completely different clinical manifestations.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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For lupus, register under the department of Rheumatology.

Patients with lupus should visit the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, as lupus is a clinically complex autoimmune disease. Many people think that lupus is a skin disease, but this is not the case. Lupus is a rheumatic and immunological disease, belonging to the category of rheumatic immunological diseases, and is an uncommon autoimmune disease.

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Written by Zhang Lin
Rheumatology and Immunology Nephrology
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Can lupus be cured?

Lupus erythematosus currently has no cure in clinical practice. However, an early diagnosis and treatment can significantly prolong the life expectancy of patients. Compared to the past, with standardized and effective individualized treatments, the 5-year survival rate can reach 95%, and the 10-year survival rate can reach 84%. However, the cause of lupus erythematosus is unclear, and no method can completely cure the disease. It is important to emphasize that there are already some medications available clinically that can alleviate the symptoms, allowing patients to live normal lives and work normally. Additionally, it is crucial not to resort to desperate measures by seeking random treatments or believing in folk remedies and secret family recipes shared by others. Such actions can not only delay proper treatment and waste money but also worsen the condition due to unclear formulations.