ISSN: 2161-1149 (Printed)
Mervat Haroun, Heba Taher Osman*, Sara Hashem Halim, Mai Abdel Samie
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystem, autoimmune disease characterized by periods of increased disease activity caused by inflammation of blood vessels and connective tissue. Pediatric patients with SLE have a more severe clinical course in comparison with their adult counterparts. Compared with adults, children with SLE have more widespread organ involvement. Approximately 20% of all patients who have SLE are diagnosed in childhood. The onset of SLE is rare in those younger than 5 years of age; most pediatric patients are diagnosed in adolescence.