VASCULITIS IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS FOLLOWING INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN THERAPY

We describe a 6-year-old female patient with systemic lupus erythemato sus (SLE) manifested mainly as steroid-dependent thrombocytopenia who developed a vasculitic appearing rash an her palms and soles following treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (1 gm/kg/infusion x 2, 1 day apart). Vascular occlusion resulting in ischemic gangrene of the fore and midfeet eventually developed, necessitating bilateral amp utation. This and other side effects described in SLE indicate that ex acerbation of SLE, with the possibility of vasculitis, may occur follo wing IVIg therapy.