CHILDHOOD SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS IN TUNISIA

In this study, we have analyzed the clinical and serological features related to 16 Tunisian children in whom diagnosis of systemic lupus ey thematosus was made before or at the age of 15. Renal involvement was found in 75% of cases and renal biopsies have mostly revealed severe h istologic patterns. All of the patients who have been followed receive d corticosteroids and in some cases required additional cytotoxic drug s in order to control disease activity. Five children died in a contex t of a renal failure. This study of childhood lupus in Tunisia confirm s that the clinical course of this disease in children is often aggres sive.