The Role of Some Hematological Parameters in Juvenile Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder with multisystem involvement, leading to inflammatory damage to the joints, kidney, central nervous system, and hematopoietic system. Although the prevalence rate of juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus in a developing country is not known, as per literature the female-to-male ratio rises from 4.5 : 1 in adolescence to 8--12 : 1 in adult-onset patients.

• The full mechanism of SLE is still unknown however, production of autoantibodies and immune complex deposition with subsequent infiltration of neutrophils, hyper-activation of B and T cells, reduced ability of immune complexes and apoptotic cell clearance, and defects in multiple immune regulatory networks, are central to organ inflammation and subsequent damage in SLE. Systemic lupus erythematosus goes on with organ involvements by remission and relapses.

The patients with SLE may present with various systemic manifestations. The general symptoms include: fever, malaise, arthralgias, myalgias, headache, and loss of appetite and weight. Nonspecific fatigue, fever, arthralgia, and weight changes.

• JSLE prognosis is related to the affected organs/systems and is worse for children and adolescents compared to adults, perhaps due to the higher rate of renal and neurological involvement attributed to JSLE.

Over the last decades, the improvement of patient survival was mainly due to an early diagnosis and better therapeutic approach, especially regarding the severe manifestations of the disease. These included the introduction of hemodialysis, renal transplantation and use of immunosuppressive drugs and their complications, i.e., use of potent antibiotic and hypertensive drugs .