Treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by nephritis in children

The clinical course of 41 patients who had systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by nephritis with symptoms beginning before they were 15 years old was reviewed. The retrospective analysis showed a definite trend toward prolonged survival among the patients receiving high doses of steroids, compared to those receiving no or low doses. We conclude that it is no longer justified to withhold high-dose steroid therapy from children with lupus nephritis, but it should be emphasized equally that this does not apply to children with discoid lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis with a positive LE clot test, or drug-induced lupus erythematosus. Our present plan of management is outlined.