Childhood systemic lupus erythematosus. Association with pancreatitis, subcutaneous fat necrosis, and calcinosis cutis.

Pancreatitis developed in a 12-year-old girl with a one-year history of systemic lupus erythematosus. The pancreatitis was first manifested by panniculitis of the lower extremities. Calcinosis cutis subsequently developed, both in areas of panniculitis and in areas free of panniculitis. The patient's medications at the time of onset of pancreatitis included prednisone, hydrochlorothiazide, and azathioprine, all of which have been reported to be causes of pancreatitis. We wish to alert physicians that pancreatitis associated with cutaneous panniculitis and calcinosis cutis may develop in children with systemic lupus erythematosus.