Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of Childhood Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Systemic lupus erythromatosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease which involves multiple organs, including the central nervous system. Neuropsychiatric (NP) involvement is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children with SLE. The aim of this study was to evaluate neuropsychiatric manifestations and to find the clinical factors associated with the development of NP manifestation in children with SLE (NPSLE). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 51 patients diagnosed with SLE at Asan Medical Center Children's hospital between April 1998 and January 2011. Clinical factors between patients with NP manifestations and patients without NP manifestations were compared. RESULTS: NPSLE developed in 41.2% (21/51) of the patients with SLE. The mean age of onset was 13.0 (8-19) years. Twelve patients (57.1%) developed NP manifestations within 1 month after the diagnosis of SLE. NP manifestations included seizures (47.6%), headaches (42.9%), movement disorders (9.5%), peripheral neuropathy/AIDP (9.5%), stroke/TIA (9.5%), psychosis (4.8%). As comparing clinical factors, hematological profile and immunologic profile between patients with NP manifestations and patients without NP manifestations, there were no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: NP symptoms are common in children with SLE, especially within 1 month after the diagnosis of SLE. However, there were no clinical factors or laboratory profiles that may predict the development of NPSLE. Therefore, careful monitoring of NP manifestations may be important in children with newly-diagnosed SLE and prompt immunomodulatory treatment should be considered.